Ghostwriter Santa Cruz County Pinot Noir 2021

"The 2021 Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir comes from vineyards in two distinctive appellations within the Willamette Valley: Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity - plus a third vineyard in the Southern Willamette Valley, Maple Grove, that adds structure and richness. These three areas all bring different attributes to the blend and give us a broad range of flavors to blend to create a wine that is simultaneously rich and zippy–the best of all possible worlds. Aromas of blackberry, black tea and autumn mulch alongside flavors of cherry pit, licorice and espresso." —winemaker

"Crafted from up to 100 individual small lots, the appealing 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir captures the classic characteristics of this renowned variety and region. Deeply layered and velvet-smooth, offering notes of perfectly ripe blackberry, black cherry, dark plum and cranberry that blend with hints of toast, spice, lavender and rose. Rich oak sweetness characteristics feature on the midpalate, while soft tannins add intriguing texture. Bright and refreshing on the finish." —winemaker

"Estate grown Avni Pinot Noir is focused and concentrated with an overlying elegance and silky mouthfeel. The large proportion of complexly flavored, savory and mineral upper block fruit combines seamlessly with the rounder flavors of Pommard clone on Jory soils. Though the vineyard was still recovering from drought, the fruit quality was nearly perfect, as temperatures were moderate at harvest, and we avoided the later rains." —winemaker

"The aromatics instantly permeate the glass with rose petals, ripe red plums, cloves, and orange zest. When tasting, the flavors of Bing Cherry, raspberry and blackberry race over the entire palate and are followed by black tea and tarragon. A harmonious backbone of silky tannins and energetic acidity give this wine real verve." —winemaker

"The heady aromatics and refined silkiness of Pinot Noir show themselves here with a swirl of wild dark cherry and ripe, red plum aromas seamlessly layered with hints of dusty cocoa and dried herb complexity finishing with an intriguing touch of pink peppercorn spice to round out the lush fruit." —winemaker

"As always, a layer of spice on a base of that cranberry/strawberry fruit that is to be expected from the Santa Cruz Mountains. The goal with this cuvée is to produce a wine that is restrained and true to the appellation. As usual, expect the Cuvée to be the most accessible Pinot early on, but this vintage particularly, should age well too. Bottled unfiltered and unfined." —winemaker

"Aromas of fresh strawberry and Bing cherry are accented with floral red currant, subtle oak spice, and earthy mushroom. The palate opens with elegant tannins and medium body supported by juicy acidity that carries the medium length finish. Flavors are similar to the aroma, highlighting cherry and pomegranate notes with added complexity of vanilla and baking spice. Moderate new oak influence ensures that classic Pinot Noir fruit characteristics shine through, balanced with the elegance and finesse that are a hallmark of the 2019 vintage." —winemaker