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Wine Recommendation
Estancia
2004 Pinot Noir, Stonewall Vineyard(Santa Lucia Highlands)
When Agustin Huneeus founded Estancia in 1986, the wines were from the Alexander Valley. But the brand, currently owned by beverage giant Constellation Brands, has evolved over the years, and now the wines come from Monterey County and Paso Robles.
The 80-acre Stonewall Vineyard, the fruit source for this Pinot Noir, is at the cooler northern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands, near Morgan’s Double L Vineyard and Talbott’s Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. The vineyard is devoted to Pinot Noir and is planted with a variety of clones and rootstocks. Most of the fruit goes into Estancia’s $15 Pinnacles bottling of Pinot; less than 10 percent is reserved to make this exemplary and elegant wine.
The wine displays ample ripe, bright cherry, accented by some nice spice and a hint of rose petals. It has a lovely, silky texture and a long finish. Though it’s more expensive than the Pinnacles Pinot Noir, this vineyard-designate wine, at $25, is still fairly priced, especially considering the high quality.
Reviewed December 5, 2006 by Laurie Daniel.
Other reviewed wines from Estancia
The Wine
Winery: Estancia |
The Reviewer
Laurie Daniel
Laurie Daniel, wine columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, has been reviewing wine for more than 10 years. She doesn’t use numbers, preferring to describe her recommended wines and let consumers decide for themselves. Laurie believes that bigger isn’t necessarily better; she’s partial to wines of balance, finesse and character. Her particular interests are Pinot Noir (versions that really taste like Pinot, that is) and aromatic whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. |