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Ever wonder why Pinot Noir is so expensive when compared to other wine varietals?  Why is it so difficult to find a decent Pinot Noir under $30-40?  The main reason is that Pinot Noir is a very thin-skinned grape making it susceptible to the weather:  if it is too hot the grapes will shrivel; if it is too cold, the grapes will not ripen; if it is too wet the skins will split, or worse mold will attack the tightly packed grape clusters.

That thin skin also limits the amount of flavour that can be imparted into the wine (much of the flavour from red wine comes from the contact with the skins during fermentation), so in order to maximize flavour, many Pinot makers drop fruit (cut off grape bunches before maturity) to further concentrate the remaining bunches. This leads to lower per acre crop yields, which raises the overall price of the fruit, and hence the wine.

For some reason, the demarcation line seems to fall somewhere in the $30-40 range for Pinot Noir.  Wines at or above this price seem to possess many of the characteristics that make Pinot Noir magical:  fruit, depth, complexity and an earthiness that helps to define terroir (or, a sense of place).  Less expensive Pinot Noir usually lacks this profile.

However, there are exceptions to most rules, and the 2013 Mandolin Pinot Noir is one of them. The grapes for this Pinot Noir were sourced from vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA of Monterey County, where high winds, dry days, and bay fogs create a cool, but very long, growing season.  These growing conditions are ideal for cool-climate grapes such as Pinot Noir, and lead to full, forward fruit flavours and ideal acidity.  Grapes were harvested at a desirable balance of sugar and acid, and the wine was fermented in small open-top tanks.  The wine completed malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, where it aged for 8 months prior to bottling.

The 2013 Mandolin Pinot Noir is available for immediate delivery. This is a finely crafted, smooth, round, flavourful example of Pinot Noir at an affordable price – well worth a try!   To order, please e-mail or telephone our office.

To your continued good health!

2013 Mandolin Pinot Noir
$21.60 btl / $259.20 cs (case of 12 x 750ml)

Beautiful brick colour.  The wine is light to medium-bodied with raspberry, cherry aromas on campolietithe nose with hints of spice, leather and cedar.  Soft and round in the mouth with a clean, balanced finish.  The tannins have largely resolved themselves.  A very pleasant bottle of wine!

Drink:  Now – 2018

Food Pairing: Pairs well with mushroom ragout; chicken; turkey; salmon

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