Thomas Fogarty Henry Ayrton's Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains 2017 (1.5L) *
Product price
$99.99
Description
The Santa Cruz Mountains give Pinot Noir a cool-climate cut and a savory edge that sets it apart from California's warmer coastal zones, and this bottling from Thomas Fogarty draws on a single block, Henry Ayrton's, within the Rapley Trail Vineyard. The 2017 vintage is a site-specific expression of the grape, medium-bodied and built more for structure than for early charm.
Expect a pale to medium ruby color and a wine that reveals itself slowly, coiled and youthful, unwinding toward brooding red and black cherry, crushed plum, and a savory undertow of loam, bay leaf, and dried brush, with grace notes of blueberry, floral perfume, and orange peel. On the palate it carries spiced dark and red fruit over a firm, chalky frame, seamless in its freshness and long on the finish. There is genuine silkiness and immediacy here for those who open it soon, but it also rewards a little patience.
Product Details
| Category | Wine |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Producer | Thomas Fogarty |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Size | 1.5 L |
| Subtype | Still |
Expert Reviews
The 2017 Pinot Noir Rapley Trail Vineyard Henry Ayrton's Block is pale to medium ruby and youthfully coiled, very slowly offering up broody red and black cherries, crushed plums, loam, bay leaf and chaparral notes with hints of blueberries, floral perfume and orange peel. The palate is medium-bodied and slowly unfolds to spiced black and red fruits, with a firm, chalky frame and seamless freshness, finishing long. This needs time!. (Wine Advocate, February 2020)
The 2017 Pinot Noir Rapley Trail Henry Ayrton's Block is a very pretty, enticing wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Sweet red/purplish berry fruit and floral notes give the 2017 a wonderful sense of immediacy and silkiness. I would prefer to drink it over the next handful of years. (Vinous, October 2019)