From August West: "Our sixth vintage from the young Cortada Alta Vineyard is the 2021. This special site is the highest planting of Pinot Noir in the entire Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. With limited water in 2021, the vines did their best to provide us with some gorgeous fruit during the three year drought. The warm, sunny days and long, cold nights at Cortada combine for the perfect balance between ripeness and elegance. The 2021 Cortada Alta Pinot Noir shows off a deep, ruby color, with a nose of sassafras, roasted brown tea, strawberries and some stem components. On the palate, the dense core takes some air in order to soften its tannic structure. We recommend decanting for at least an hour to allow the fruit to blossom. Hold this '21 Cortada in the cellar until 2024 and enjoy it through at least 2035.
