The Golden Vine - Tasting Notes

Pelletiere Estate Vineyard & Winery

2014 Zinfandel Paso Robles AVA

Cladded in tweed and elbow patches, with an ascot, carrying an attache case; the 2014 Zinfandel is a scholar of the Paso Robles landscape and architecture.... Cladded in tweed and elbow patches, with an ascot, carrying an attache case; the 2014 Zinfandel is a scholar of the Paso Robles landscape and architecture. Quiet and cultured it’s packed with ripe black raspberry fruit and boasting sage and black pepper, which enliven the classic sophisticated flavors of West Paso. With a zesty personality and irresistibly silky tannins, you won’t want to miss a lecture from this elegant professor.

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Varietal:

Zinfandel

Pelletiere Estate Vineyard & Winery

2015 Zinfandel Paso Robles AVA

Alcohol: 15.2%

Quiet and cultured it’s packed with ripe cherry and mulberry, with hints of chai spice that complement the fruit, which enliven the classic sophisticated... Quiet and cultured it’s packed with ripe cherry and mulberry, with hints of chai spice that complement the fruit, which enliven the classic sophisticated flavors of West Paso. With a peppery personality and sweet candied cherries that linger with every breath, you won’t want to miss a lecture from this elegant professor.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Zinfandel

Alcohol: 15.2%

Pelletiere Estate Vineyard & Winery

2013 Zinfandel Dolce Vendemmia (Late Harvest) Paso Robles AVA

Rich with bold aromas and generous with flavor, this sugar daddy of a wine lays on the sweetness with blackberry preserves, sun-kissed plum, brown spices... Rich with bold aromas and generous with flavor, this sugar daddy of a wine lays on the sweetness with blackberry preserves, sun-kissed plum, brown spices and warm butterscotch. An earthy, bark-like note tones down the Madagascar vanilla on a long, chewy and satisfying finish. Move over Brandy, there’s a new night cap in town! Best enjoyed in front of a crackling fire.

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Varietal:

Zinfandel

Pelletiere Estate Vineyard & Winery

2015 Viognier Paso Robles AVA

Like the strings of glowing twinkle lights that fill a winter’s evening, this Viognier glows with soft golden hues. Offering crisp fresh aromas... Like the strings of glowing twinkle lights that fill a winter’s evening, this Viognier glows with soft golden hues. Offering crisp fresh aromas of peach, mango and white flowers on a zesty citrus backdrop, finishing with a rich creamy texture, she’ll have you dreaming of a white Christmas.

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Varietal:

Viognier

Pelletiere Estate Vineyard & Winery

2016 Viognier

Alcohol: 14.5%

Glittering and brilliant, like a canary diamond perched in the glistening sun this Viognier is crisp and racy. Aged in stainless steel, with refreshing... Glittering and brilliant, like a canary diamond perched in the glistening sun this Viognier is crisp and racy. Aged in stainless steel, with refreshing aromas of peach, mango and a bouquet of blossoms, it finishes in a silky citrus setting looking great in hand. This wine, truly is a girl’s best friend.

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Varietal:

Viognier

Alcohol: 14.5%

Pence Vineyard and Winery

2014 Pence Sebastiano Syrah Sebastiano vineyard Santa Rita Hills AVA

Sebastiano vineyard

Alcohol: 14%

Directly to our west is the beautiful Sebastiano vineyard, which was planted in 2007 and is farmed by Coastal Vineyard Care, one of our region’s top... Directly to our west is the beautiful Sebastiano vineyard, which was planted in 2007 and is farmed by Coastal Vineyard Care, one of our region’s top growers. At the highest elevation, there is a small planting of Syrah on clay-limestone soils, with a south-facing orientation, ,that is entirely exposed to 45 mph ocean winds. Syrah grown in a cold extreme place like this becomes very aromatic with purple flowers and briary fruit, black pepper and black olive nuances. These pretty aromatics are further accentuated because it is fermented entirely as whole-cluster in a 4 ton concrete fermenter and then aged for 2 years in a 581 gallon Foudre – none of which are common practices in the U.S. The results are serious with incredible complexity and yet the wine remains fresh and delicious on the palate with at least a decade of life ahead of it. Syrah is going through a renaissance in California and this wine is at the forefront of these efforts. 100% whole-cluster. 2 years in Foudre. 312 cases. 14.0% alcohol. Dark purple color with aromas of lavender potpourri, dark chocolate and fresh meat. Rich, sublime and savory on the palate.

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Varietal:

Syrah

Alcohol: 14%

Pence Vineyard and Winery

2014 Pence Unum, Estate Pn Santa Barbara Central Coast AVA

Santa Barbara

Alcohol: 13.5%

This is our second bottling of UNUM, sourced from our oldest vines encompassing only two acres of Dijonnaise Pinot Noir Clone 667. Planted in 2006, this... This is our second bottling of UNUM, sourced from our oldest vines encompassing only two acres of Dijonnaise Pinot Noir Clone 667. Planted in 2006, this block enjoys a beautiful south/sun-facing orientation on thick, dense clay, creating fruit that always over-achieves qualitatively. We attribute the wine’s luxuriousness and roundness to its denser/richer soils much like the way marbling in Wagyu steak increases the meat’s flavor and generosity versus less fatty and flavorful cuts of meat. The wine weighs more in the palate and is both broader and longer in its finish. This extra ‘architecture’ offers more concentration allowing the wine to be enjoyed now with more complex Pinot Noir friendly dishes while also assuring its age worthiness beyond five years. 16 months in 2new French oak. 1whole-cluster fermented. 322 cases. 13.alcohol. Bright red color with aromas of cranberry, red cherry, flower blossom and holiday spice. Serious, weighty, round and fresh on the palate.

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Varietal:

Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 13.5%

Pence Vineyard and Winery

2014 Pence Estate Chardonnay Santa Barbara Central Coast AVA

Santa Barbara

Alcohol: 13%

It is this dichotomy that creates a beautiful Chardonnay that has both freshness and flavor akin to something more decadent like a mix of Meyer Lemon,... It is this dichotomy that creates a beautiful Chardonnay that has both freshness and flavor akin to something more decadent like a mix of Meyer Lemon, Yuzu and Crème Brûlée. Brilliant, white-gold in color with aromas of citrus, white peach, saline and sage. Vibrant, exuberant, weighty and driven on the palate.

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Varietal:

Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13%

Pence Vineyard and Winery

2016 Rosé Santa Rita Hills AVA

Coming from our estate vineyards, which are organically farmed and on clay soils, is this beautiful salad and picnic wine. Harvested with Rosé in mind,... Coming from our estate vineyards, which are organically farmed and on clay soils, is this beautiful salad and picnic wine. Harvested with Rosé in mind, this is saignée bleed of pinot noir that was fermented dry in stainless steel, then carefully racked clean to preserve its freshness and lightness, and then transferred to neutral wood for brief aging. Approached with a southern France Rosé style in-mind, this is a vibrant and delicious wine that will appeal to many fans looking for that perfect summer sipper.

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Penman Springs Vineyard

2013 Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon

“OLD BLOCK” Ruby color. Pretty aromas of currant, mocha, black cherry, and oak. Elegant, supple palate with currant and black cherry framed by nicely... “OLD BLOCK” Ruby color. Pretty aromas of currant, mocha, black cherry, and oak. Elegant, supple palate with currant and black cherry framed by nicely integrated oak. Finishes with mocha and blueberry.

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Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon