Bernardus Winery Pinot Noir(2006)

2006 was a long, cool growing season. This produced wines of exceptional fruitiness with bright acidity. Our 2006 Pinot exhibits a beautiful red color with intense aromas redolent with ripe red fruits and lots of Pinot spice, accented by toasty oak nuances. On the palate, we find a full velvety texture supporting vibrant flavors of ripe red berries and candied cherry. The finish is long and satiny smooth, ending with notes of oak and spice. Our 2006 Monterey County Pinot Noir represents two different growing areas of the Salinas Valley, each bringing a unique contribution to the finished wine. read more...Roughly one third of our grapes are sourced from the famous Santa Lucia Highlands, (Rosella's Vineyard, Tondre, Fairview, and Paraiso), on the western slope of the Salinas Valley. This special area is highly prized for its cooler growing conditions and deep, well drained soils, which promote very intense red fruit flavors in Pinot Noir. The remaining two thirds come from the Arroyo Seco appellation, (Cedar Lane and Griva Vineyards). This is a bit further south in the Salinas Valley and has a slightly warmer climate. The soils are river bottom in origin and extremely rocky. This produces wines with a riper fruit character and more minerality, adding to the complex, well-structured mouthfeel of our Pinot. An important part of any Winemaker's job is to create compelling blends that surpass the sum of their parts. Our 2006 Monterey County Pinot Noir is a beautiful example of the Winemaker's art. Case Production: 6,500    (hide)