Fullerton Three Otters Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir - 40 years old
11 months in 25% new Oak and 75% neutral
Bella Vida Vineyard is perched high in the heart of the Dundee Hills. This picturesque site provides elegant fruit from the storied Jory soils of the AVA. LIVE certified.
Aromas of cherry and raspberry flow into finely-tuned layers of cedar, cocoa, licorice, and baking spices. The palate pulses with energy as the silky tannins and gorgeous mid-palate captivate your senses. A radiant and profound experience.
A co-fermentation of Dijon clones 113, 667, and 777, this wine expresses the volcanic soils of the Dundee Hills elegantly, yet powerfully. Upon arrival, the grapes were immediately de-stemmed into an open-top two-ton fermenter. Following a seven day cold soak, the wine started fermenting slowly at a cool temperature. To manage extraction, we utilized one to two punch-downs and one pump-over per day, with two rack-and-returns at the beginning and middle of fermentation. As fermentation neared the end, the must was heated to achieve a peak temperature of 94° F resulting in optimum extraction, and then we immediately chilled the wine to extend the time on the skins, while switching to one pump-over per day to limit harsh, seed-tannin extraction. After a total of 19 days on the skins, we drained and pressed the wine, keeping the free-run and press fractions separate. This bottling contains only the free run fraction. Following two days of settling, the wine was racked to barrel and aged for 11 months in 25% new French oak and one month in tank prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Review:
Vivid red. Displays fresh red/dark berry and pungent floral aromas, along with suggestions of cola, mocha and five-spice powder. Appealingly sweet and energetic on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, cherry-cola, spicecake and rose pastille flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. Fine-grained tannins frame the well-defined finish, which lingers with impressive, red fruit liqueur-driven persistence. (all de-stemmed fruit and 25% new French oak). - Josh Raynolds" - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (June 2019), 93 pts
Fullerton Three Otters Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir - 40 years old
11 months in 25% new Oak and 75% neutral
Bella Vida Vineyard is perched high in the heart of the Dundee Hills. This picturesque site provides elegant fruit from the storied Jory soils of the AVA. LIVE certified.
Aromas of cherry and raspberry flow into finely-tuned layers of cedar, cocoa, licorice, and baking spices. The palate pulses with energy as the silky tannins and gorgeous mid-palate captivate your senses. A radiant and profound experience.
A co-fermentation of Dijon clones 113, 667, and 777, this wine expresses the volcanic soils of the Dundee Hills elegantly, yet powerfully. Upon arrival, the grapes were immediately de-stemmed into an open-top two-ton fermenter. Following a seven day cold soak, the wine started fermenting slowly at a cool temperature. To manage extraction, we utilized one to two punch-downs and one pump-over per day, with two rack-and-returns at the beginning and middle of fermentation. As fermentation neared the end, the must was heated to achieve a peak temperature of 94° F resulting in optimum extraction, and then we immediately chilled the wine to extend the time on the skins, while switching to one pump-over per day to limit harsh, seed-tannin extraction. After a total of 19 days on the skins, we drained and pressed the wine, keeping the free-run and press fractions separate. This bottling contains only the free run fraction. Following two days of settling, the wine was racked to barrel and aged for 11 months in 25% new French oak and one month in tank prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Fullerton Pinot Noir Picnic Label is made from 100% Pinot Noir (Clones 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, Pommard and Wadenswil).
This wine showcases the breadth of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, with grapes grown throughout the valley on both volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. The biggest portion of the wine comes from a vineyard in the southwestern portion of the valley grown in a cool, late ripening region on mainly sedimentary soils. This portion is joined by small amounts from vineyards scattered throughout the valley giving both diversity of soils and climates.
Pours a beautiful, ruby red in the glass. The nose is intensely fruity, almost jumping out of the glass with cherry, blackberry, blueberry, rosehip, leather, and resinous, Ponderosa woodspice. The palate is bold and structured with dark fruit, baking spice, and earthy notes, lingering with notes of dried berries and potpourri.
pH: 3.57
TA: 5.5 g/L
Brix at Harvest 22.8-24.6
Garnet red in the glass. The nose is full of red cherry, raspberry, and black currant, backed by rose pedal, cinnamon, clove, porcini, toasted vanilla, rosemary blossom and thyme. Ripe strawberry, sour cherry, and damson plum, give way to an airy, and velvety texture reigned in by a firm acidic backbone. The long finish is full of floral character, backed by sweet earth and loads more spice.
Alcohol:12.9%
Acid TA: 5.7 g/L
pH: 3.45
Fullerton Three Otters Pinot Gris is made from 100 percent Pinot Gris.
Pours a brilliant gold-straw, with warm aromatics of green apple, pear-blossom, pineapple, vanilla and baker’s spice. Flavors of bright green apple, pear, and lemon/lime acidity are tamed by sweet pie crust. This wine is ready for almost any meal, or just a relaxing afternoon in the sun.
Pairs well with any salad, poultry, cheese, pasta in a creamy sauce, or by itself as an aperitif.
ABV: 13.5%
TA: 6.4 g/L
pH: 3.31
Fullerton Three Otters Pinot Gris is made from 100 percent Pinot Gris.
Pours a brilliant gold-straw, with warm aromatics of green apple, pear-blossom, pineapple, vanilla and baker’s spice. Flavors of bright green apple, pear, and lemon/lime acidity are tamed by sweet pie crust. This wine is ready for almost any meal, or just a relaxing afternoon in the sun.
Pairs well with any salad, poultry, cheese, pasta in a creamy sauce, or by itself as an aperitif.
ABV: 13.5%
TA: 6.4 g/L
pH: 3.31
Argot Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Sugarloaf Vineyard is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sugarloaf’s terroir continues to impress with its expression of classically-styled Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons — impeccably pure black and red fruit character; broad, rich, perfectly ripe tannins; classic Napa Valley notes of cigar leaf, eucalyptus, and freshly-tilled earth; and definitive complexities of clove, all-spice and bay leaf. Having assessed past vintages with a few years of age, we have come to greatly value the significant reward Sugarloaf delivers after a few years in the cellar.
From Block 6, an acre of fiercely steep, ferociously rocky hillside, located in Napa’s far south-eastern foothills, deeply affected by the cooling influences of San Pablo Bay. One of the latest harvests in all of Napa Valley each vintage. Mother Nature was kind to this site in 2019, being our most bountiful year here ever. With perfect set, and vines displaying great health, this normally stingy hillside delivered superlative quality, without restraint of yield. After a slow start in the Spring, 2019’s particularly warm September and October played beautifully to the vineyard’s strengths, and delivered a classic Halloween-time harvest.
Review:
"It is not often that you see a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon coming from this rising star, cooler-climate vineyard in south Napa. This wine comes exclusively from the low-yielding, steep, rocky "Block 6." Deep purple-black in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Sugarloaf Vineyard needs a little coaxing to reveal wonderfully pure scents of blackcurrant cordial, juicy blueberries and ripe blackberries, plus suggestions of iris bulb, dark chocolate, molten licorice and cedar chest. The big, rich, seductive, full-on full-bodied palate is laden with ripe, energetic black berry layers, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed. A stunning, true-blue Napa blockbuster with its own very evocative signature, this comes highly recommended! 175 cases were made. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (November 2021), 97+ pts
The 2020 Skycrest Vineyard Chardonnay offers fresh Meyer lemon, quince and pear fruit notes alongside subtle sea spray and white lily. A note of flint minerality runs through the palate balancing the wine along with a bright focused acidity that highlights the incredible texture and produces an exceptionally long finish.
Review:
A light hazy yellow hue, the 2020 Chardonnay Skycrest Vineyard is a bit reserved at the moment, with yellow apple, chamomile, and lemon pith notes. The palate is more expressive, offering medium to full body and a supple texture, with a soft floral expression coming through in its notes of vanilla spice, lemon pastry, and almond. A gorgeous wine, it will take some time to open in the glass. Drink 2024-2032.
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
Beautiful aromas immediately waft out of the glass, recalling coconut, white orchid, lily of the valley, sea salt salinity and white peach. The palate is driven by steely acidity softened by balanced alcohol. It incorporates additional notes of lime leaf, lemongrass and blanched almond. The challenge is to delight in each nuanced detail, since the wine is just too delicious to stop sipping.
Editors' Choice Wine Enthusiast 93 Points