2020 Vintage

Description

In 2020 we decided to branch out and try Pinot Noir from different appellations. While most of the north coast was under a cloud (literally) of smoke, the central coast was less impacted, and so we found ourselves down in the Santa Rita Hills, exploring what fruit might be available to us. This led us to the Spear Vineyard, where we were able to acquire a small amount of Pinot Noir.

The Santa Rita Hills region is a fascinating place, highly marine-influenced in soil and climate. Like much of the central coast, the climate is almost entirely defined by proximity to the ocean and the sea breeze. The Santa Rita Hills runs east-west, and the wind blows directly down the valley, keeping it dramatically cooler than more landlocked areas to the north and south. The soils are either clay loam that was once seabed or deposits of sand and diatomaceous earth—the calcareous skeletons of tiny marine creatures. 150 cases made. SOLD OUT!

Our Pinot Noir is named “Chong Feng” 重逢, to reunite. Reuniting with old friends and family is one of life’s joyous moments that we treasure dearly. We crafted this wine to celebrate the unity that bonded all of us together.

The 2020 vintage was warm pretty much across California, and the wine from the Santa Rita Hills shows this. Although we took a light-handed approach to extraction, the wine offers plenty of ripe fruit and body. The aromas are a combination of brown spices and fresh berries. There is an abundant sweet fruit on the palate, but lively acid keeps things fresh. We aged this in mostly neutral French oak barrels to preserve the character of the fruit. Like many of the best wines, it improves with air. Consider giving it a decant and letting it open up a bit before drinking.

Description

In 2020, we located a small Cabernet Sauvignon parcel just east of St Helena, at the foot of the mountains. Planted on a slope of stones with a bit of soil between the rocks, the vines were small and spindly and produced only a few clusters each. 2020 was a challenging vintage with heat and drought and this little site, just over an acre, struggled to produce about a ton and a half of grapes. Only 70 cases made. SOLD OUT!

We named this wine “攀登” (Pan Deng), which means climbing. Winemaking is a physically demanding job that is not as glamorous as many might think. Like mountain climbers, perseverance and resilience are the core characters of a winemaker. We want to dedicate this wine to all the hard-working men and women out there who are fearlessly pursuing their goals and dreams every day.

The tiny yields and small berries led us to believe this would be a tannic monster, but it is anything but. It seems strange these days to refer to a Napa Valley Cabernet as “pretty,” but this wine surely fits that description. Aromas of red cherries, blackberry infusion, and hints of cedar and cigar give a delightful first impression. On the palate, it is energetic and fresh, with well-balanced acidity that steers the wine in the direction of charm and elegance and away from power. A light dusting of tannin on the finish suggests that laying this wine down for a couple of years would be worthwhile.