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Wine Recommendation
Morgan Winery
2006 Twelve Clones Pinot Noir(Santa Lucia Highlands)
Morgan Winery in Salinas is one of my favorite producers of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Owner Dan Lee produces wines both from his own Double L Vineyard, at the cooler northern end of the AVA, and from other vineyards in the appellation. As its name suggests, this wine is a blend of 12 clones of Pinot Noir, which contribute complexity. Forty percent of the grapes come from Double L, with the balance sources from elsewhere in the AVA.
The wine spent 11 months in French oak barrels, 40 percent of them new. The result is a Pinot that’s a perfect combination of the appellation and the Morgan Winery style. It’s ripe and intense, yet balanced and elegant. The wine displays bright raspberry and strawberry flavors, some spicy notes and firm acidity. The long finish is a bit dry at this point, but some more time in the bottle or the right food (think grilled ahi, duck confit or roast chicken) should smooth out any rough spots. And considering the high price of many Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots, this wine looks like a bargain at $31.
Reviewed March 27, 2008 by Laurie Daniel.
Other reviewed wines from Morgan Winery
The Wine
Winery: Morgan Winery |
The Reviewer
Laurie Daniel
Laurie Daniel, wine columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, has been reviewing wine for more than 10 years. She doesn’t use numbers, preferring to describe her recommended wines and let consumers decide for themselves. Laurie believes that bigger isn’t necessarily better; she’s partial to wines of balance, finesse and character. Her particular interests are Pinot Noir (versions that really taste like Pinot, that is) and aromatic whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. |