Presqu'ile Pinot Noir

When we say this is one of the most complex Pinots under $50, let alone under $30, we mean it! Fragrant aromas of raspberry, cranberry, citrus, and herbs lead into intriguing fruit flavors of Bing cherries, red plum, raisins, and dried orange peels. Earthier tones of black tea and thyme dance along the sensational palate, which juicy and beautifully structured with a long, savory finish. The 2022 vintage is Burgundian in nature, but it is so much better than any Burgundy you could get below $70. 

The Murphy family relocated to California shortly after Hurricane Katrina destroyed their family homestead, known as Presqu’ile (“peninsula” in French). They had farmed in Louisiana and Arkansas for generations, and in 2007 they searched far and wide for the best place to grow cool-climate Pinot Noir in the United States. Rejecting the Russian River Valley and Willamette, they landed in Santa Barbara County and established vineyards in the acclaimed Santa Maria Valley subzone. At the time, Santa Barbara’s wine region had recently been made famous by Sideways. Their Presqu’ile vineyard lies next to Bien Nacido Vineyard, one of the best Pinot-growing sites in the world (indeed, they source from Bien Nacido too).