2014 Matias Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

Pinot Noir Perfection from Spectacular Sites in Santa Lucia Highlands

Most talented winemakers know that the secret to world-class California Pinot Noir lay in the perch, the fog, and the guy who farmed it. When Dan Fitzgerald and John Harley (alums of Williams-Selyem and Donum Estate, respectively) first walked the rows of Gary Franscioni’s Soberanes and Sierra Mar vineyards in the cool Santa Lucia Highlands, they knew they’d struck paydirt.

Each morning, the vines are blanketed by a thick layer of fog. By early afternoon, the sun burns through and winds off the Monterey Bay cool and cleanse the vines. Pinot Noir vines snake through decomposed granitic soils and gravelly loam sprinkled with ancient marine sediments for nutrients — concentrating berries and flavors while acids remain firm and fresh.  

The 2014 growing season in Santa Lucia Highlands was one of the driest on record. This was the third consecutive drought year, and the continued lack of rainfall led to early-season stress on the vines. The result was smaller canopies of heightened phenolic maturity. Large amounts of fruit were dropped to balance smaller canopies with crop levels. Winter and spring were mild, which led to an early bud break, then a cool summer slowed the growing season.

The call to harvest came in the first weeks of September, much earlier than a typical growing season in Santa Lucia Highlands. In a report published last October, Vinous summed it all up, calling 2014 “a picture-perfect growing season” in the Santa Lucia Highlands, which resulted in wines of pure fruit flavors coupled with the “depth and structure to age.” For the perfect example of what Vinous was talking about, look no further than the 2014 Matias Pinot Noir.

On the crushpad, Fitzgerald and Harley destemmed most of the fruit, but left about one-third whole-clusters intact, and a lengthy cold soak helped extract tannic structure. Natural, indigenous yeasts kick-started fermentation, and the wine was gently pressed to barrel and aged on its lees for added complexity in 100% French oak, of which 40% was new.

The 2014 Matias Pinot Noir is medium ruby with garnet hues. A briary nose of strawberry compote and pomegranate is laced with cloves and citrus rind. Generous upon entry, tart wild berries are tinged with exotic spices and new-wood cedar. At a modest 13.6% alcohol, everything is well proportioned and extremely balanced. A long finish is fresh and lively, making this one hard to put down. Wine Enthusiast called it “dark and concentrated” with a focused core of “flavorful” fruit, “mixing dried cranberry and tangy cherry,” and pinned on 92 points. Drink now through 2020.

Most producers, including Matias, who are sourcing Soberanes and Sierra Mar fruit offer Pinots that start at $40 and quickly go up from there. Today on WineAccess, just $24.99 per bottle. That’s 38% off the list price AND shipping is included on just 4. Of the 476 cases produced, 150 have been earmarked for us.

• ABV 13.60%
• Enjoy right away
• % Pinot Noir