Hahn Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir (75cl, 14.5%)

A California Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in Monterey County, bottled at 14.5% ABV. Hahn Family Wines farms estate vineyards where persistent marine fog and afternoon winds from Monterey Bay create a cool growing environment. Grapes are harvested during cool morning hours, destemmed into open-top stainless steel tanks for a cold soak, then fermented on the skins for approximately 10 days. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, with only a limited number of barrels selected to carry the SLH designation. The nose opens with crushed red cherry and ripe blackberry, layered with darker plum and allspice, plus subtle earthiness, toasty oak and spiced vanilla. The palate is rich and fruit-forward, with cherry compote and raspberry meeting refined, velvety tannins, balanced acidity, warm licorice, cinnamon and a touch of cola. The finish is long and complex, with lingering vanilla, plum skin and a gentle tannic grip.