The 2020 vintage began with a cool winter and some much-needed rain that spurred a later than usual bud break. The growing season was mild overall, however, and the onset of early summer weather allowed the grapes to catch up. For our Pinot Noir, we saw the fruit mature earlier than usual, with flavors developing at an early Brix. Grapes for this wine were picked with bright, expressive fruit character in late August.
The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine earlier than others to achieve a style of wine that reflects that Pacific wind that sweeps daily through the Edna Valley. The goal is to produce a wine that is graceful yet expansive on the palate. We apply a cool fermentation and gentle extraction rate to preserve the red fruit notes and showcase the acidity.
The 2019 vintage was a classic expression of a cool climate Pinot Noir. Stone Lion is a Pinot that is on the bolder side of all the Pinot Noirs we make from Edna Ranch. It will have a little more weight, a little more structure than our other offerings. But thanks to the cool growing area it comes from, it will still have some acidity and freshness to balance it all. There is also a little bit more oak impact as well, as we put new barrels in this program.
The Cuvée 2019 is a blend of extraordinary Pinot Noir lots from appellations across California. This wine represents a precise collaboration that showcases and preserves the unique character of each region.
With a late bud break and a dry, mild summer, the 2020 growing season looked a lot like 2019 and on par as a cooler vintage. Grenache has always been one of our late-ripening varieties; fortunately, flavors developed faster than in 2019, which allowed us to pick earlier and capitalize on the excellent sugar and acid balance in the grapes.
With a late bud break and a dry, mild summer, the 2020 growing season looked a lot like 2019 and on par as a cooler vintage. Fortunately, flavors developed faster than in 2019, which allowed us to start picking in late August and through September to capitalize on the excellent sugar and acid balance in the grapes.
A magnum 1.5L of Tolosa's signature Pinot Noir is perfect for any celebration. Pinot Noir can have so many unique and beautiful aromas. However, to bring out those aromas, the grape needs the right place to grow and strict attention to detail in winemaking. When your tasting notes for this wine include descriptors like candied bacon, black forest cake, red licorice, evergreen, and yellow beans, you have discovered that special place and the right winemaker. In addition to those lovely nuances, this wine possesses an ideal combination of concentrated flavors and bright acidity, which is a hallmark of the long, cool 2019 vintage.
The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine earlier than others to achieve a style of wine that reflects that Pacific wind that sweeps daily through the Edna Valley. The goal is to produce a wine that is graceful yet expansive on the palate. We apply a cool fermentation and gentle extraction rate to preserve the red fruit notes and showcase the acidity.