Carmel Road Winery is located in the heart of Monterey County where the air is crisp and the tempo is relaxed and measured. Most mornings their vineyards are shrouded in fog. Most afternoons a brisk Pacific Ocean wind blows southward along the ridge tops and benchlands of the Salinas Valley delivering fresh, cool maritime air. For years their region was considered too cold and windy to grow world-class grapes. Today, Monterey boasts some of the most highly acclaimed AVA’s in all of California.
The Clark Ranch is sheltered in the late afternoon shadows of the Santa Lucia Mountains. While most of this 1100-acre vineyard is planted to Chardonnay, there are 34 acres dedicated to Pinot Noir. Each year they produce a limited bottling of Pinot from a special, rocky, four-acre block at the heart of the ranch. It is a remarkable site that consistently yields their deepest and most compelling Pinot Noir.
To capture the character of the Clark Ranch Vineyard Carmel Road utilized a number of hands-on techniques including cold pre-soaks, native yeast fermentation, hand punchdowns, French oak aging, and no fining or filtration. Their 2005 vintage delivers deep rich flavors of Bing cherry, red plum, rose petal and smoke, backed by firm acids and fine tannins.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Reviews: Untitled "Aromas of wild berry and raspberry have a delicate peppery and cedary oak edge, which gives this a flavor dimension and structure. Drink now through 2012. 400 cases made. –JL" -Rated 88, Wine Spectator Untitled "Actually from a smallish block of a large vineyard in this rocky, cool part of Salinas Valley, this Pinot shows a silky structure, velvety tannins and crisp acids. The flavors are rich and savory, suggesting cherries, cola, vanilla, smoke and mint. — S.H. (12/15/2008)" -Rated 88, Wine Enthusiast
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