Fess Parker Winery
2011 Sta. Rita Hills Ashley's Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
California: Santa Barbara County: Sta. Rita Hills
Mission Briefing
The Explorer
Today’s 2011 Sta. Rita Hills Ashley’s Pinot Noir marks a very welcome return for Fess Parker Winery.
Sourced entirely from Fess Parker’s bucolic 714-acre Santa Barbara ranch, today’s wine is incredibly flavorful - and incredibly well balanced. Stephen Tanzer said it perfectly when he described today’s wine: “Juicy, penetrating red fruit flavors show impressive depth as well as energy and pick up spiciness with air.”
We always enjoy finding Pinots that pair tremendous flavor with an elegant mouthfeel, and today’s wine fits the bill perfectly. Please accept our boldest recommendation on today’s stunning wine.
Tasting Profile
| Look: | A beautifully ripe dark black cherry in color, with a soft ruby along the rim of the glass. |
|---|---|
| Smell: | Bright, fresh red fruit aromas of Bing cherry, red raspberry, and pomegranate are laid overtop dried flower petals, clove, black peppercorn, dusty earth, tobacco leaf, and slight dried cranberry. |
| Taste: | An incredibly elegant - and tasty - Pinot that has clear notes of juicy, perfectly ripened fruit mingling with touches of earth and spice. Cherry and raspberry are joined by European cherry licorice, dry summer bramble, pomegranate herbal black tea, mocha, and a bit of black peppercorn. |
| Finish: | Well rounded and very sippable, today’s wine features a soft entry and an incredibly long finish. |
| Pairing: | Pork chops, marinated with apple cider, mustard seeds, and fresh thyme, then grilled to perfection. |
What the Winery Says
- Winemaker
- Blair Fox
- Accolades
- 93 Points - Tasting Panel, 91 Points - Stephen Tanzer, 91 Points - Antonio Galloni, Gold Medal - SF Chronicle
- Appellation
- Sta. Rita Hills
- Vineyard
- Ashley’s Vineyard
- Fruit Variety
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Clonal Selection
- Pommard, 115, 777
- Barrel Aging
- 16 months in 50% new French oak
- ABV
- 14.3%