Tasting notes
When tilted in the glass, Sterling Vineyards’ 2023 Carneros Pinot Noir displays a dramatic color play of dark mauve to ruby gemstone, one cue to the many facets of this full-bodied Pinot Noir. Autumnal, woodsy aromas of crushed leaves and stone moss mingle pleasantly with scents of bergamot, cranberry, and purpleleaf plum fruit to enchant the nose, while flavors of pomegranate, mulberry, and acai make an entrance on the palate. Tightly knit tannins hold the fruit of this wine with kid-glove finesse and with sleight of hand, reveal savory spice notes of fennel seed and toasted vanilla bean that stand through the finish. Pair this intriguing wine with earthy mushroom risotto, roast turkey, and cornbread or sage-seasoned stuffing.
Technical information
Vintage
2023
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Carneros
Alcohol
14.5%
Volume
750 mL
Winemaking
Pinot Noir grapes were picked in September at optimum ripeness when color, flavor, and tannins were in sync. Once in the winery, the grapes were destemmed and gently fermented in stainless steel to preserve the varietal’s delicate nature. To capture the wine’s natural complexity fully, it underwent a secondary, malolactic fermentation and then was aged for 9 months in 100% French oak, 46% of which were new barrels.
Vintage
One of the longest growing seasons in over a decade, 2023 offered consistently mild weather throughout, presenting above-average crop yields and extended hang-time. Ample winter and spring rains set the stage for a reinvigorated vineyard, granting us healthy, saturated soils and full reservoirs. Bud break arrived nearly a month after what is typically expected, which led to a delayed set and protracted flowering, all of which, ultimately, contributed to a delayed harvest. A mild summer allowed the grapes to mature slowly and evenly, retain their natural acidity and deliver truly balanced wines.
Vineyard
Grace Benoist Ranch, located in the far northwest corner of the Los Carneros appellation, is the source for this wine’s selected fruit. Unlike most Carneros vineyards, which are largely uplifted bay bottoms with clay soil composition, the soils on Grace Benoist Ranch are volcanic in origin. This site’s well-draining, rocky upland soil and location close to the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay make it an ideal place to grow Burgundian varieties. Vineyard blocks are individually managed to conform to various soil types and the changing contours of the topography. Individual vineyards within Grace Benoist Ranch average only eight acres in size, and spacing is dense to ensure low per vine yields of fully concentrated fruit.