Willie Mae Pinot Noir
2023

Willie Mae Pinot Noir

Sta. Rita Hills

Vintage 2023 was an overall cooler growing season with moderate rainfall and late budbreak. Proper canopy management coupled with the cooler climate resulted in red wines with great phenolic development and retention, yielding high concentration of color and tannin. Red wines from this vintage are robust and complex with great aging potential. For the white grape varietals, austere fruit expression and bright acidity are the defining characteristics of the vintage. 2023 will be remembered as one of the most exceptional vintages in recent years.

Wine Fact Sheet
$70

Club Members save 20% every day on wine and experiences.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Willie Mae opens with aromas of fresh red raspberry and tart cherry jam. On the palate, this wine has a delicate Ceylon tea tannin structure that frames candied black cherry fruit with hints of marzipan and dried cran-raspberry on the finish. This is the ultimate wine for pairing with a fromage carte.

Wine Data

Origin: Central Coast, California
Alcohol content: 14.5%
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Acid: 6.8 g/L – pH: 3.56
Composition: 18 months in French oak, 25% new

As part of the original Spanish Land Grant, Rancho Santa Rosa is one of Santa Barbara’s most historic properties. This beautiful south-facing hillside climbs from 500 to 1,000 feet above sea level. This wine features clones 2A and 459. Following harvest, the fruit was cold soaked for four days and then fermented in stainless steel tanks with regular punch downs to extract maximum color and flavor. It was aged in French oak barrels (25% new) for 18 months before filtration and bottling.