Dierberg Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2020 Red Wine

Dierberg Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2020

This Pinot Noir is a lovely representation of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Very well-balanced, with equal parts of fruit, earth, and spice flavors. Pairs extremely well with so many foods, like poultry, fish, pork and vegetarian dishes. So easy to drink, you'll have a hard time putting it down!

FROM THE WINERY

The 2020 vintage in Drum Canyon was marked by a normal growing season with two exceptional heat spikes. We learned from the 2017 vintage and let the mature Drum Pinot vines endure the first wave. As anticipated, this concentrated the fruit. We picked before the second heat wave, which assured we maintained acidity. This allowed us to keep our minimalistic approach in the cellar—avoiding stem inclusion, allowing our typical spontaneous fermentation, and limiting new oak.

The estate fruit from this segment of the vineyard requires less ageing than the blocks used for our grey label Drum Pinot, particularly in the family’s large European foudre which help to maintain acidity while the wine develops body. Aging just a small portion in new French oak allowed for some spice complexity, but we find that the fruit from this portion of the hillside has plenty of spice without needing much help.

We truly enjoy how this Pinot displays the hallmark red toned fruit aromas combined with distinct earthiness and a bit of floral character that are unmistakably Drum Canyon. While the grey label wine usually requires ample bottle ageing for maximum enjoyment, the white label is very rewarding right now.

100% Pinot Noir
100% Estate Grown – Drum Canyon Vineyard
12 Months in Neutral Feudre and 15% New French Oak
14.2% ABV
984 Cases Produced