Mr. Leaf is a micro-production Pinot Noir made in collaboration with the team at Dragonette Cellars. The fruit is sourced exclusively from the famed Fiddlestix Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA (Central Coast, California). The wine is made intentionally in a more lightly extracted style with particular attention to the Pinot Noir clones, specific vineyard rows, and the judicious but maximal inclusion of stems. All of these specific elements lend texture, aromatics and tannins. Mr. Leaf is aged in neutral oak for 18-22 months and only 50 cases are produced.
Our Wines
2020 Mr. Leaf Pinot Noir
Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills
Tasting Note
Deep ruby color. Perfumed aromatics of black cherry and ripe raspberries mix with complex earthy spice and hints of forest floor. Medium to full bodied, with rich, velvety textured red fruits followed by a long finish where whole clusters add tension, grip and complexity. Excellent balance of youthful sappy fruit intensity, firm yet round tannins, and refreshing acidity. Drinkable today on the fruit richness, the 2020 will offer a wide drinking window. Drink 2022 – 2032
Clonal Blend
Predominantly 667 with 115 and Pommard 4
Fermentation
40% whole cluster
1 Ton open top fermenters
2 day cold soak
Native yeasts
Gentle pumpovers and light pigeage
Aging
Free run juice with a small percentage press wine
Aged on the lees without racking
19 month aging in neutral oak
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
2019 Mr. Leaf Pinot Noir
Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills
Tasting Note
Deep ruby color with classic Pinot Noir transparency. Fragrant aromatics mix deep cherry and summer berries with sweet spice and complex yet subtle dried herbs and loamy earth. Medium bodied, elegant and energetic on the palate with a core of deep cherry fruit harmoniously balanced by bright acidity and tightly packed fine grained tannin. Whole clusters add mid-palate weight and bring additional complexity on the long finish. At once ethereal and substantial reflective of the ideal, long, cool growing season of 2019. Drinkable today on the fleshy fruit and fresh acidity, the 2019 offers a wide drinking window. 2 – 3 years will bring increased aromatic complexity and textural grace, and the balance of rich fruit and fine tannins will allow the ’19 to bring pleasure for at least 10 years. Drink 2021 – 2036.
Blend
100% 667
Fermentation
50% whole cluster
1 Ton open top fermenters
2 day cold soak
Native yeasts
Gentle pumpovers and light pigeage
Aging
100% free run juice
Aged on the lees without racking
19 month aging in neutral oak
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
2018 Mr. Leaf Pinot Noir
Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills
Tasting Note
On the nose, the wine is expressive, broad and complex, beginning with brambly red fruits, (strawberry raspberry, cherry) and following into notes of a wide variety of spices and herbs, such as anise, cloves, nutmeg, orange peel, pine needles, and a touch of vanilla. On the palate, the wine fills the mouth with red fruits, spices (Christmas cake) and fresh and dried herbs, such as thyme and tarragon. The wine is medium bodied and firm, yet still generous of fruit, complicated by loads of spices and pleasantly woodsy notes of nori and camphor. The whole clusters add depth and width in the form of tannins and herbal flavor compounds, while freshness is provided from its round, but noticeable, citrus-laced acidity. The finish is long, complex and spicy, with waves of red fruits, spice cake, and hints of vanilla and baking spices. Drinkable now for its exuberant fruits and spices, the wine will undoubtedly improve for 5 years on its structural balance and last for another 10 years after than. Drink 2021-2035.
Blend
50% 667
50% 115
Fermentation
50% whole cluster
1 Ton open top fermenters
3 day cold soak
Native yeasts
Gentle pumpovers and light pigeage
Aging
100% free run juice
Aged on the lees without racking
18 month aging in neutral oak
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
2017 Mr. Leaf Pinot Noir
Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills
Tasting Note
Deep saturated ruby color, bright rim. Complex aromatics showcase brooding black cherry fruit with sweet spices. Medium in body, yet highly concentrated with a core of red fruit and lengthy finish framed by fine grained tannins and bright acidity. Shows the high fruit intensity and compact structure typical of 2017 with a depth of fruit and spice that will reward aging. Enjoyable now with a short decant, the 2017 shows terrific aging potential and will reward 2 – 5 years of aging as the fruit unfolds and will hold for at least 10 years.
Blend
50% 667
50% 115
Fermentation
50% whole cluster
1 Ton open top fermenters
3 day cold soak
Native yeasts
Gentle pumpovers and light pigeage
Aging
100% free run juice
Aged on the lees without racking
18 month aging in neutral oak
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
2016 Mr. Leaf Pinot Noir
Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills
Tasting Note
Deep ruby color. Inviting aromas mix pure red fruits (cherries, raspberries) with a subtle smoky earthiness and fall baking spices. Medium bodied with a rich, open-knit texture balanced by polished, precise, tannins from light stem inclusion. Finishes long and graceful with refreshing acidity. Drinking beautifully now on the inviting nature of the 2016 vintage, the underlying structure will allow 5 – 7 years of positive evolution for those who are patient.
Blend
50% 667
50% 115
Fermentation
50% whole cluster
1 Ton open top fermenters
3 day cold soak
Native yeasts
Gentle pumpovers and light pigeage
Aging
100% free run juice
Aged on the lees without racking
18 month aging in neutral oak
Bottled unfined and unfiltered