By E16 Winery
2016 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Doctor's Vineyard

Wines of Place and Purpose
E16 Wines select Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from California vineyards graced with the optimum confluence of soil, climate, and human curation. The E16 winemaking team partners with grape growers who share a commitment to sustainable viticulture and devotion to the fruit's inherent varietal expression. This camaraderie is woven with a passion for excellence and respect for the fundamentals of thoughtful farming to produce noble wines having a true sense of place.

Terroir
The Santa Lucia Highlands were planted with grapes by French missionaries in the 1790s, but not approved as an AVA until 1991. Most vineyards are located on a narrow strip of east-facing geological benches overlooking the Salinas River Valley. The deep sandy-loam soils (mostly Chualar Series) contain concentrations of calcium that limit vine growth and berry size to enhance wine depth.

Climate
The prevailing Mediterranean climate (Region I) is marked by warm, clear days that receive daily whippings of cold air and frequent fog. Chilled air above the deep frigid waters of Monterey Bay moves inland each afternoon through the mouth of the river to begin an overnight cooling that persists until morning. Vines, as well as grapes, relish the long, mild growing seasons and cool overnight temperatures.

Vineyard and Harvest
The Doctor's Vineyard is located in the middle stretch of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. It starts at 300 feet of elevation but promptly climbs another 400 feet into the highlands, providing this part of the vineyard with warmer temperatures and higher winds. Planted with wide row spacing on east-facing benches offers great sun exposure, allowing the fog to burn off early in the day. The fruit was picked from the gently sloping upper bench where the union of climate, sandy loam soils, and clones produce small crops that translate to complex wines.

Impressions
Nose: Bright layers of wild strawberry and raspberry followed by white pepper and cedarwood
Mouth: Strawberry, peppery spice, jasmine, shiitake mushroom
Tactile: Lively fresh acidity, soft tannins, velvety texture, plush mouthfeel

Takeaways
Location: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Vineyard: Hahn Doctor's Vineyard
Clones: Clone 4
Fermentation: Open-top tanks
Vintage: Cooler than normal temperatures in August allowed for a steady, gradual ripening, which has produced wines of very good complexity and higher than average natural acidity.

Metrics
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Aging: 11 months in French oak barrels, 25% new
Alcohol: 14.10%
TA: 5.72 g/L
pH: 3.74
RS: 0.2 g/L
Winemaker: Daniel Moore
Production: 14 barrels, 335 cases
[Information provided by Matador Vino]