Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir

The Spanish term Las Alturas means the heights, a fitting name for this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA up to 1,200 feet. At this elevation, the sunny but very cool climate creates a wine bearing this coastal region's hallmarks: robust, expressive, full-bodied, and balanced by firm acidity.

Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir grapes were harvested early in the morning so the fruit would arrive at the winery while the grapes were still cool to preserve the vineyard-fresh flavors. After destemming (but not crushing) the berries, they cold-soaked the fruit for up to two weeks to soften the skins and allow for ideal extraction. During fermentation in a combination of closed and open-top stainless steel fermenters, they used punch-downs and pump-overs to extract color and tannins, control temperatures, and maximize flavors. They aged the wine in 100% French oak (60% new) for up to nine months. After the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, they racked it twice before making the final blend.

Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir is rich crimson with fragrant aromas of blackberry, sage, cherry, and hints of rich dark chocolate. Bold and elegant on the palate with boysenberry pie, black currant jam, dark plum, and subtle notes of ground nutmeg. Balanced and structured, this wine has beautiful acidity that lingers to a long, mouthwatering finish.