2021 Mail Road Mt. Carmel Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills, USA

MAIL ROAD
A partnership between Santa Barbara winemakers Matt Dees, Michael Palmer and Ron Piazza, Mail Road was founded on a singular purpose:

To produce wines of distinction and excellence. Wines that are uncompromising in their craft. Wines that convey a unique sense of place - our estate, Mt. Carmel Vineyard - in The Sta. Rita Hills appellation of Santa Barbara County, California.

MT. CARMEL VINEYARD
Planted in 1989, Mt. Carmel straddles the saddle of an exposed, two-tiered mountain, just north of the Santa Ynez River, at the geographic center of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The vineyard’s 22.5 acres are planted to a variety of own-rooted, organically and principally dry-farmed, heritage chardonnay and pinot noir clones.

Heavily influenced by its combination of elevation (800-1000 feet), aspect (steep, south-facing) and soil composition (loose limestone, clay and calcareous deposits) and buffeted by constant winds and dramatic temperature variability, Mt. Carmel produces exceptional fruit, at near intolerably low volumes. In its three decades, Mt. Carmel has secured its reputation as a world-class site for chardonnay and pinot noir. In that time, the vineyard has consistently produced many of The Sta. Rita Hills’ most highly coveted, single vineyard chardonnays and pinot noirs. Wines that are remarkable for their expression of site, marked by deep concentration, exceptional depth, textural complexity and laser-like acidity.

PRESS
Rated 96 Points
Moving to the 2021 releases, the 2021 Pinot Noir Mount Carmel Vineyard is slightly deeper ruby-hued and has a gorgeous perfume of ripe red and black fruits, scorched earth, graphite, white pepper, and obvious minerality. It’s stunning on the palate as well, with medium to full body, integrated acidity, and ripe yet building tannins. I love its purity, and it's rich and concentrated yet stays graceful, well-balanced, and light on its feet. Give bottles a year or three and enjoy over the following decade.