By Gali Vineyards
2022 Pinot Noir Reserve

Vineyard
Source: Estate-grown grapes from the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Clones: 62% 667, 777, and Calera, 38% 115

Vintage
Below-average rainfall during a mild winter allowed for early bud-break, followed by ideal spring weather and the formation of uniform grape clusters. Summer heat ripened the grapes, and a prevailing ocean breeze kept the vines adequately cool at night. After several years of drought, the 2022 yields were below average with smaller-than-normal grapes. As a result, the wines show greater intensity of flavor, vineyard character, and tannin maturity.

Production
Harvested at 26 degrees Brix on September 14, 2022, grapes were destemmed as whole berries and fermented in stainless steel tanks for 8 10 days. After drawing color, tannins, and flavors from the skins, each lot was pressed and placed in separate barrels to undergo natural malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging. Final lots were blended to produce the 2022 Pinot Noir Reserve, and the wine returned to barrel for additional maturation.

Production Details
Vinification: Natural malolactic fermentation in barrel (per lot) and aging on the lees
Aging: 18 months in 15% new French oak
pH: 3.77
TA: 6.4 g/L
Winemaker: Eric Baugher

Tasting Notes
This Pinot Noir plays dark berry fruit against cola and ginger notes. Powerful fruit aromas from the inky, purple wine mirror its rich body. On the palate, anchoring tannins and spice spin up a delicious toasted oak finish.
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

Wine: Gali 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Score/Rating: 94
Review Date: 10/01/2024
Reviewed By: Matt Kettmann
Tasting Notes: Ripe and rich aromas of black cherry, boysenberry, vanilla and white chocolate show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is lively, with blackberry sorbet and black cherry flavors that are cut by minty herbs and wrapped in tons of texture.

Wine: 2022 Gali Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2032
Review Date: 08/21/2025
Reviewed By: Matthew Luczy
Tasting Notes: Derived from a blend of Dijon clones, the 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir underwent an additional six months of aging compared to the Estate bottling. On the nose, it offers a similar mix of red and black fruits to the base bottling, accompanied by a savory undertone and spice-driven notes, albeit with a more refined and reserved profile. The palate is significantly denser and more concentrated, yet it maintains an upright posture with a gently tensile core that runs through the lush, layered finish.