2014 Silvestri Estate Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $36
Long ago, we joined Silvestri’s wine club because the Parsonage winemaker, Frank, whose wines we adore, also makes their wines. They have a lovely tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea, which was always a nice experience for us when we were in town. We really enjoyed their Syrahs and Barberas. and kept getting Pinot Noir (not my favorite varietal) in our allocations. When my wine class picked Pinot Noir for class this past week, we hunted in our wine room for our last Silvestri and it was a good one!
Alan Silvestri was a famous movie soundtrack composer of great renown, who moved his family to Carmel in 1989. The Silvestri Vineyard was planted in 2000, with its first harvest in 2003. From Silvestri: “Silvestri Vineyards is located approximately 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean up Carmel Valley. This location is the key element in the terroir of this unique site. During the growing season the cool marine influence on one side and the much warmer inland mountains on the other side subject this spot to daily afternoon winds bringing dramatic temperature drops even on the sunniest days. The tight constriction of the valley at this point creates even greater wind velocities here. The vineyards are on benchlands and hillsides several hundred feet above the valley floor further exposing them to the marine onshore flow. Only cooler climate varieties can be expected to ripen here.
“The very rocky soils are based on a soft shale locally referred to as “chalk rock”. Devigorating rootstocks were selected to advance the harvest date and match differing soil conditions within the vineyard. Varieties were also matched to different soil conditions, sun and wind exposures. All varieties are a mix of three to five different clones originally selected at research stations in France. This was done to take advantage of the earlier ripening characteristics of these selections and to provide a palette of flavors from which to create elegant and complex wines…”
Winery Notes for the 2014 Silvestri Estate Pinot Noir: “Raspberry and sweet black cherries are the first aromas out of the glass. You then discover hints of vanilla and clove behind them. Roll that around in your mouth and feel the softness that then completes with mild tannins and balancing acidity.” Case production: 838
My Review: The 2014 Silvestri Estate Pinot Noir is cherry red and transluscent. Raspberry and cherry with sweet-tart and vanilla notes on the nose. Slightly sweet upon opening, which dissipated as the wine opened up, this wine bursts with cherry and cassis on the palate with a slightly leathery finish. This is a delicious Pinot Noir for the most discerning palate. July 2020
Check out their website for information on how to order. Their tasting room is currently closed.
© Decanting Monterey 2020
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