2017 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands

It’s been said that New World Pinot Noir has much to prove when it comes to rivaling Old World Burgundian reputation.  After all, it’s difficult to match centuries of meticulous cataloguing of grand cru vineyards in terms of quality, style, and finesse.  …Or, so they say.  Behold, the Santa Lucia Highlands have rewritten the catalog of reputation for Pinot Noir.  The 2015 vintage features a prominent integration of raspberry, strawberry, and kirsch underscored by black truffles and spicy sage notes.  Ample acidity and silky tannins along with an all-world finish result in unmistakable quality, style, and, yes, finesse but branded with Californian provenance.