WINES
MT. CARMEL PINOT NOIR VINTAGE 2020
Tasting notes courtesy Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate.
The 2020 Pinot Noir Mount Carmel Vineyard is more structured and masculine, with brilliant aromatics of black raspberries, strawberries, new leather, sandalwood, and dried flowers. It’s brilliant on the palate as well and is medium to full-bodied, has flawlessly integrated tannins, a beautiful sense of freshness, and a great finish. It’s a stunner. I like it today, yet it will evolve nicely for 2-3 years and keep for a solid decade or more. These are pure, crystalline, focused wines that still bring beautiful depth of fruit and concentration. They’re some of the best out there.
MT. CARMEL CHARDONNAY VINTAGE 2021
Tasting notes courtesy Antonio Galloni, Vinous.
Ripe melon, brioche, acacia flowers, and chalky mineral notes all emerge from the 2021 Chardonnay Mount Carmel Vineyard, a quintessential Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay that has a pure, layered, medium-bodied profile, high yet balanced acidity, solid mid-palate depth, and a lengthy, salty finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and evolve gracefully over the following decade.
STA. RITA HILLS PINOT NOIR VINTAGE 2021
Tasting notes courtesy Winemaker Matt Dees
This 100% “declassified” Mt. Carmel Vineyard Pinot Noir, is the 5th iteration of Mail Road’s very popular Sta. Rita Hills AVA bottling. With 4% whole cluster Pinot Noir and aged for 12 months in neutral 228L French barriques, this juice sees 12 days on average of skin time with a blend of four different clones: 55% 828, 15% Swan, 15% Pommard, and 15% own-rooted Mt. Carmel clone.
Lifted and expressive. Red raspberry, black tea, and green peppercorn. Velvet on palate with herbal notes of sage and rosemary. Earthy on the finish with ultra fine tannins and tremendous fruit purity and length.
STA. RITA HILLS CHARDONNAY VINTAGE 2021
Tasting notes courtesy Winemaker Matt Dees
This spring brings the much anticipated release of our 2021 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay primarily from Mt. Carmel’s own-rooted Wente clone planted in 1988. Aged for 12 months in neutral 228L French barriques (average age of 2016) with 40% malolactic fermentation, this high acid beauty is ready to drink now and a perfect complement to your favorite oceanic dish.
Rich, round, and vibrant. Saline and tense with notes of citrus oil, lime zest and chamomile. Complete and balanced. Stunning and structured chardonnay from a dream vintage.
