By committing to pursuing high quality California Pinot Noir back in the late 1970’s, Saintsbury founders Dick Ward and David Graves put themselves in the forefront of a movement that would eventually catapult California wines, Carneros Pinot Noir and Saintsbury onto the world wine stage. According to the Wine Spectator’s Matt Kramer, Saintsbury not only “single-handedly demolished the old assertion that California cannot create Pinot Noirs of a Burgundian standard of delicacy and finesse,” but also “no winery has been more methodical in its investigation and pursuit of newly available Pinot Noir clones than Saintsbury.” The stellar range of Saintsbury Pinot Noirs and unfiltered Chardonnays has never performed better than today. Hats off to Dick and Dave who continue to lead the way with innovation and inspiration.

Tasting notes

Smoky plum nose with notes of dried herbs and a plump mid-palate of Morello cherries and blackberries. The wine possesses a long, rich finish with excellent acidity and fine tannins.

Technical notes

The ranch of Judge Stanly, located near the southeastern corner of Carneros is planted to clay-loam soils and gently rolling hills.