Muccigrosso Vineyards

Of all the ‘05 Pinots I’ve sampled from this amazingly prolific region, this is one of the most universally enjoyable and consistently delicious. For the past three years, this label has turned out some of the most noteworthy of the Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots. This ‘05 vintage is winemaker Jacob Kaufman’s best yet. All the rich raspberry, chocolate and truffle on the nose can’t prepare you for the wonderful raspberry, earth, clay, cranberry and cedar flavours that flood your mouth like a tidal wave. This is quintessential Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot: from vineyards at elevation with less fog impact than coastal vineyards experience.

This wine is composed roughly 50/50 of fruit from two separate and very distinctive sites. The Muccigrosso Estate Vineyard, situated 300 feet below David Bruce's estate to the southwest, sits at about 1600 feet. Here, the vines – and the vineyardists – contend with very mountainous and rugged terrain. It is planted to Dijon clone 115. The second source, Evan's Vineyard, is located 3 miles away from the Muccigrosso Estate on Skyline Boulevard on the eastern crest, and is planted with the Mt. Eden Clone.

Together, these two clones combine to produce a wine that literally pirouettes across your palate like a graceful ballerina. The balance of fruit, acid and tannin is exceptional, and the lush chocolatey finish lasts until the second curtain call.

Reviewed March 26, 2008 by Laura Ness.