Farmstead Cheeses and Wines

This month, we're pleased to present a one bottle allocation of 2007 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir, the flagship wine from the winery that put the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA on the map!

96 points from Parker, who raved: "An exceptional effort from 10-year-old vines, this dense ruby/purple-hued, full-bodied Pinot Noir exhibits a killer aromatic display of black raspberries, forest floor, spring flowers, cola, and a subtle hint of smoke. Although extravagantly rich, it is not overweight, but rather well-delineated and pure. This is a full-bodied tour de force in Pinot Noir winemaking that has the aromatic complexity of a grand cru Burgundy, but the sensational fruit, glycerin, texture, and mouthfeel of the golden state of California. "

Winegrower Gary Pisoni comes from generations of farmers who tended row crops long before he was born. Pisoni enjoyed drinking and collecting fine French wines while in college. When he graduated, he was eager to find a way into the wine business. When he told his father he wanted to plant grapevines on the family cattle ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands, he was met with several objections, not the least of which was the cost. Gary countered to his father, “Have you ever been to a $250 lettuce tasting?” His father relented and a legendary vineyard was born in 1982. Gary’s positive energy has made him a household name among Pinot circles.

Gary planted his own-rooted vines in virgin soil. It took ten years of witchers and well drillers to tap into a water source on the sixth try. Water turned the wilderness into a garden and made Gary’s dream come true. The original vines are rumored to be from suitcase cuttings from a famous domaine in Vosne-Romanee, now called the Pisoni clone or selection.

Winemaker son Jeff and grape grower son Mark created the Pisoni label, releasing the first estate Pinot Noir in 1998. A second label, Lucia, debuted in 2000. Pisoni fruit quickly became highly prized in California and Pisoni Vineyard put Santa Lucia Highlands on the map, becoming one of California’s true ‘cult’ vineyards. Many top producers craft a Pisoni vineyard-designate Pinot Noir;  Gary Pisoni also manages nearby Garys’ Vineyard with Gary Franscioni.

Generally, the Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir is sold exclusively through a mailing list.  We have a good relationship with the winery and were able to wrangle a bottle for each of you.

Here at Farmstead,  we often talk about the glories of Oregon Pinot Noir - wines that, when well made, show grace, structure, fruit, elegance, power and length.   This month, we have three great Oregon Pinots to choose from:  Anam Cara Nicholas Estate, Lachini Estate and Lachini "S" Vineyard Pinot Noirs. 

Your allocation is for any one of these, although we have enough on hand for you to purchase all three, if you wish.

Anam Cara is Celtic for friend of my soul, and this Chehalem Mountains AVA Pinot Noir offers Italian plum, raspberries and dusty rose petals on the nose blended with pomegranate, tea and toasty spices on the palate. All framed by the vineyard’s signature minerality, silky texture and rich yet soft tannins. The nicely rounded mid-palate rolls lingeringly into the sustained finish.  Parker gave the wine 91 points:"offers up mineral notes in its attractive bouquet. Velvety-textured, ripe, and layered, it is nicely balanced and has 2-3 years of aging potential. It should be at its best from 2010 to 2018....Considering the youth of the Anam Cara vines, the future appears to be bright for this family-owned winery."

Lachini Vineyards was established in 1998. The winery owns 45 acres of which 29 are planted. Their first vintage was 2001 and current production stands at 4500 cases.  Winemaker Laurent Montalieu crafts the "Estate", while Peter Rosback (of Sineann Winery) makes the "S".

The 2006 Pinot Noir Lachini Family Estate is dark ruby-colored with an expressive nose of spice box, cherry, and black raspberry. With good structure for the vintage, the wine has good grip and depth, sweet fruit, and a fruit-filled finish. Give it 1-2 years and drink it from 2010 to 2016. 90 points, Parker. 

Since the 2002 vintage, the 'S' Pinot Noir with 100% Estate fruit has been crafted to be richer, more fruit-forward and accessible upon release than the Estate.  It is seductive and feminine in the restrained nose, yet offers a round mid-palate and somewhat lengthy finish. Heady aromas of ripe bing cherries and a touch of toasted oak are interwoven nicely with the generous acids and soft tannins. Finishes lively, with a bit more structure. The savory finish of 30+ seconds is quite delectable.