Tasting Notes: 

Expect tasting note of dark red cherry, spice, violets, herbs and warm brioche on the nose. Mid weight flavors of cherry and raspberry are framed by prominent tannins that stick out on the finish, yet the tannins balance with a nice amount of fruit.

Mignanelli Wines: 

This winery was founded in 2011 by winemaker Byron Mignanelli, whose sole focus is creating site-driven coastal California Pinot Noir. The winery started in a garage and has now moved into a professional facility where modern equipment is available.

Pinot Noir: 

While Pinot Noir may not be a big, powerful, richly tannic wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, its flavors are certainly not weak or feeble. They may be softer and more refined but they are still rich and complex and lush. In fact, Pinot Noir is rarely blended with any other grapes because it is so complex all on its own. Pinot has a unique ability to adapt to its surroundings and showcase the region in which it was grown. Of all the classic wine grapes Pinot Noir is the most difficult to grow. It mutates easily in the vineyard, is sensitive to the slightest climate variations, and it can be unstable during winemaking. This tendency to mutate means that Pinot has spawned hundreds of different clones and even different varietals.

Santa Cruz Mountains: 

Santa Cruz Mountains is, as its name suggests, a mountainous AVA that sits between Monterey Bay and San Francisco. The rugged terroir in the mountains can be extremely trying for grape growers, but those who persevere are rewarded with some of California’s most celebrated wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon.

Santa Cruz Mountains was given its AVA status in 1981, and was the first AVA to be recognized for its altitude. Today, a handful of top producers make premium wines in the appellation.

Food & Wine Pairing: 

Pinot Noir goes well with so many things, from a cheese plate to a piece of grilled meat, from chicken to fish. They are especially lovely with mushrooms, other vegetables and anything else with a little earthy note. But the beauty of Pinot is that there are so many different styles and they are endlessly adaptable.

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