Name: Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2023 750ml
Brand: Cambria
SKU: 1011226
Price: 26.34 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 90.8 (4 reviews)

Winery

Cambria

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Varietal

Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.

Country

United States

Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.

Region

California

California as a wine producing region has grown in size and importance considerably over the past couple of centuries, and today is the proud producer of more than ninety percent of the United States' wines. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with a vast range of vineyards covering almost half a million acres. The secret to California's success as a wine region has a lot to do with the high quality of its soils, and the fact that it has an extensive Pacific coastline which perfectly tempers the blazing sunshine it experiences all year round. The winds coming off the ocean cool the vines, and the natural valleys and mountainsides which make up most of the state's wine regions make for ideal areas in which to cultivate a variety of high quality grapes.

Appellation

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is home to many of California's most sought after wines, with a powerful reputation for superbly crafted, old world style big, flavorful and complex red wines. The white wine industry in the region is growing, too, with many wineries within Santa Barbara successfully experimenting with several classic white wine grape varietals. As in much of California, Santa Barbara benefits from the blazing west coast sunshine, coupled with cooling Pacific Ocean breezes and fogs, which help to temper the grapes and slow the ripening process, thus ensuring more flavor and aroma in the resulting wines. Although Santa Barbara is a relatively young wine region, it is home to many wineries who are extremely dedicated when it comes to demonstrating just how good their terroir is, and how characterful their region's wines can be.

JS 93pts

James Suckling

Hibiscus and herbal aromas mark this detailed pinot noir, following through to a palate of definition, length and mineral bones that frame cranberries, pomegranate, red cherries and their pits. Rose hips rise through the finish, a zip of orange zest on top. Drink or hold.

VM 90pts

Vinous Media

The 2023 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard is another fabulous entry-level wine, if you can even call it that. Bright, rich and forward, the oak is front and center, but it frames and braces the wine nicely. Spice tones and dark red cherry fruit form the core. There's real character and Santa Maria Valley identity here. This is particularly impressive at $25.

WE 90pts

Wine Enthusiast

Rustic aromas of tart cranberry, oregano and thyme show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is also a touch rugged and earthy, pairing red fruit with sage-like spices and dusty soil tones.

JD 90pts

Jeb Dunnuck

All destemmed and aged seven months in 18% new French oak barrels, the 2023 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard offers framboise, Bing cherries, sappy underbrush, and floral notes that develop nicely with air. It's medium-bodied, balanced, has good depth of fruit, and a complex, satisfying style that would best many a great Village-level red Burgundy. I'd happily drink a bottle. Drink 2025-2030.

Winery Notes

Julia's Vineyard is located on the cooler, western end of the Cambria estate. The maritime influences that funnel in from the Pacific Ocean help to maintain mild temperatures and extend the vineyard's growing season. This extra hang time allows the grapes to develop well-balanced acids and optimal varietal characteristics. Julia's Vineyard is planted exclusively to Pinot Noir - Clone 4, known for its bright cherry and strawberry nuances along with cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg spice. Named after the owners' youngest daughter, Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir is estate grown and reflects bright red fruit characteristics which are typical to Pinot Noir grown on the Santa Maria Bench in northern Santa Barbara County. The soils of Julia's Vineyard are ideal for Pinot Noir; ancient alluvial deposits from the Sisquoc River allow for excellent drainage which in turn restricts vine vigor. With an eye for producing wines of the highest quality, our vineyard team meticulously maintains the vineyard. Leaf pulling in the early season allows for more sun exposure upon the grape clusters which in turn leads to full and even ripening. In addition, extensive canopy management techniques are practiced - forcing the vine's energy into ripening the fruit, not growing the canes/leaves. At veraison, second growth clusters are removed to promote the full development of the primary clusters. Each year, Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir is hand-harvested by Cambria's seasoned vineyard crew. Individual lots were fermented in small, open-top fermenters. The use of small fermentation vessels allows for better extraction of color and flavor from the grapes. At the start of fermentation, the Pinot Noir grapes are cold soaked, which retains the bright fruit flavors and prevents oxidation. Finally, the wine was transferred into French oak barrels with medium-toast which helps to create velvety tannins and round out the mid-palate.

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Cambria Pinot Noir Julia’s Vineyard 2023 750ml