2018 Walt Clos Pepe Pinot Noir

About 2018 Walt Clos Pepe Pinot Noir:

awarded 92 Points by Kim Marcus from Wine Spectator

Tasting Notes:

Deep garnet in color, this wine carries hearty fruit aromas of black cherry and ripe pomegranate infused with toasty oak. The palate opens a beautifully rich and lush texture laced with hints of salinity — a distinguishing characteristic of the site. The minerality and warm spicy character of the vineyard are brought forward by partially fermenting in a concrete tank and whole cluster fermentation.

Barrel Selection:

45% New French Oak (François Frères) for 10 months

Growing Notes:

The iconic Clos Pepe Vineyard is situated in a cool enclave within the Sta. Rita Hills. The prevailing winds coming from the Pacific slow the ripening of these vines, allowing for saturated flavors to accumulate throughout the decidedly long growing season. Pinot Noir is the quintessential story-teller, the varietal echoes all of the conditions to which it is exposed, from the particles of soil where the vines grow, to the wind-swept influences of the neighboring ocean.

Following a series of warm, early harvests, this year’s growing season returned to a slower rhythm, allowing grapes to ripen gently with deep flavors. The growers spent the summer and fall manicuring the vine canopies to provide the grapes enough shade from the sun while also preparing adequate airflow to deter mold. When Mother Nature did throw a couple of unpredictable systems at them, the growers were able to weather the storms and harvest exceptional fruit

Harvest Dates:

Winemaking Notes:

100% Pinot Noir wine by winemaker Megan Gunderson.

Vinification in 10% Concrete 5% Whole Cluster

About The Winery:

WALT Wines is dedicated to the production of premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Pacific Coast’s most distinctive vineyard sites, spanning nearly 1000 miles and including Sta. Rita Hills, Los Carneros, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, and the Willamette Valley. The philosophy is that of precision, non-interventionist winemaking, thereby allowing the wines to naturally and honestly express the character of the site where the wines are grown. Under the artisanship of their Director of Winemaking, Megan Gunderson, WALT Wines will continue to evolve and develop.

WALT has a passion for producing wines of a place through single-vineyard expressions of Pinot Noir. They are a family-owned Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer with a passion for crafting wines that naturally and honestly express the character of the vineyard. Winemaking begins through thoughtful viticulture. By remaining careful stewards of the grapes throughout the winemaking process, they preserve the texture, personality, and soul of the wines.

Kathryn’s Walt Hall the Vintner at Walt Wines parents, Bob and Dolores Walt, were dedicated winegrowers who loved the land and each other. The family produced six different varietals that they sold to several great wineries. For her parents, growing grapes was a shared family vision—a view of well cared for vines out the kitchen window, starting early in the day doing what you really love, the satisfaction of a hard day’s work, the feeling of peace walking through the vineyard before sunset.

The parents passed away many years ago, but they remain forever her inspiration for growing grapes and making wine. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t think of their love of the earth or passion for the vines.

At WALT they have an amazing and dedicated winemaking team, a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, a passionate winery staff, and strong relationships with extraordinary vineyard partners.