Ampelos Cellars, Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills, 2023

Ampelos Cellars’ Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2023 is a beautifully expressive example of cool-climate California Pinot Noir, crafted from fruit sourced across three distinct vineyards in Santa Rita Hills. Danish-born Peter Work is known for his exceptional touch with Pinot Noir, creating wines of remarkable finesse, energy, and depth that capture the character of this celebrated coastal region.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, it shows the kind of bright, inviting ruby tone that promises freshness and lift. The nose is filled with juicy red berries and delicate spice, with subtle floral and earthy nuances adding complexity. On the palate, the wine is silky and weightless in texture, yet layered with ripe red fruit, precision, and quiet depth. The cool Pacific influence brings a lively, elegant finish, and the wine should age gracefully for several years, gaining added nuance and complexity over time.

Production
This wine is made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in three different vineyards in Santa Rita Hills, a region shaped by cool Pacific breezes that preserve acidity and enhance aromatic detail. The grapes are hand-harvested and sorted in the vineyard to ensure only the best fruit reaches the cellar. After harvest, the must is cold-stabilized for three days before fermentation, with each vineyard kept separate until blending. The wine is then aged for 14 months in oak barrels, including 20% new French oak.

Food & Serving
Serve this Pinot Noir slightly chilled at around 12°C, ideally in a Burgundy glass to best appreciate its aromatic detail and texture. It pairs especially well with light poultry dishes, such as roast chicken or duck breast, and can also complement mushroom-based dishes and refined vegetarian cuisine. Decanting is generally not necessary, though a short airing can help the wine open up if served young.

Producer
Ampelos Cellars is closely associated with Peter Work, whose reputation for Pinot Noir has made the winery a reference point for elegant, terroir-driven wines from California. With a philosophy centered on healthy vineyards and gentle winemaking, the producer focuses on purity and balance rather than heavy extraction. The winery has earned recognition for crafting Pinot Noir that reflects both precision and a strong sense of place.

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