SLO Pinot Noir 2021

Located in the cool hills of California's Central Coast, the Chamisal vineyard stretches in the immediate vicinity of San Luis Obispo, not far from the Pacific Ocean. The parcels benefit from a distinct maritime climate, with morning mists and sunny afternoons that promote a slow and even ripening of the Pinot Noir grapes. The soils blend limestone deposits, clay, and alluvial influences, providing natural drainage and good water retention. This mosaic of terroirs gives the wine a precise expression, both elegant and intensely aromatic.

The grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and then destemmed before undergoing cold maceration to gently extract color and aromas. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks, with measured pump-overs to preserve the fruit's elegance. The wine is then aged in oak barrels, some of which are French oak, to refine the texture, add aromatic complexity, and delicately integrate the tannins before bottling.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry , ripe raspberry , and strawberry , enhanced by floral touches of dried rose and violet , as well as spicy nuances of sweet pepper and clove . Woody accents of vanilla and toasted oak blend into a subtly smoky structure. The palate displays a silky texture, fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a lingering finish that maintains a beautiful tension.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that revitalized the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition decimated the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained. It wasn't until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was primarily known for producing fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were established (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976, a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris." It pitted the greatest French wines against the new American upstarts. On May 24th, an unexpected result shook the wine world, as, to everyone's surprise, the United States emerged victorious. This competition, however, remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. While California largely dominates the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world, and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.