Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Senses Wines is the dream of three childhood friends. Christopher, Max and Myles, who partnered with critically acclaimed winemaker, Thomas Rivers Brown, to produce worldclass wines from renowned vineyards owned by their families. Since founding in 2011, Senses Wines production has grown to include many coveted vineyard sites throughout northern California. The estate vineyards are located in the West Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, specifically just outside the town of Occidental where the three founders grew up. On the label, the second letter ‘e’ has been substituted with the number ‘3’ representing the three founders and the three wine senses of sight, scent and sip. They believe the vineyards are their greatest asset, and meticulously farm each vine so the winemaking process can be as hands-off as possible. This approach ensures complexity and finesse for each wine, vintage after vintage, and their stunning wines are testament to their dedicated passion.

THE VINTAGE:
A dry winter with below-average rainfall and a cool start to spring kept the vines dormant late into March. The spring months stayed dry and cool, slowing shoot growth and contributing to low yields and smaller berries. The fruit developed evenly with concentrated flavours, colour and texture. The 2021 harvest took place with favourable, temperate weather throughout the picking season.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The fruit comes from the Hillcrest Vineyard, a single vineyard site purchased by Myles’ parents, Carleton Briggs and Lisa Lawrence in 1988. Located just outside of Occidental, this site borders the Charles Heintz Vineyard to the west and is home to the original Chardonnay planting in the West Sonoma Coast. It has however since been replanted to Pinot Noir, which thrives in the warm microclimate which is tempered by the cool, coastal breezes and the trademark fog that lingers over the vineyards, bringing moisture and cooling the vines. The result is a long hang-time, during which the vines slowly build aromatic complexity, concentrated flavours, superbly balanced by natural, acidity. This tiny vineyard covers just 0.8 hectares of Pinot Noir, planted with clones Swan, Calera, 828 and 115. The soils are made up of Goldridge sandy loam, a light, fluffy soil which offers excellent drainage properties. The vines are sustainably famed and the grapes are meticulously hand harvested.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The Pinot Noir grapes were vinified in open top vats, and underwent whole-berry fermentation with wild, indigenous yeasts from the vineyard to fully express the terroir. Maturation lasted for 10 months in 100% French oak, 30% new, the remainder was second use.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
Classic aromas of mulled red and black fruits, forest floor, conifer, and spiced orange carry through to a velvety palate showing wonderful purity of fruit, a precise texture and supreme balance.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Pinot Noir 100%.