Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Holman Ranch Vineyards 2011 Heather’s Hill Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley


This wine comes from Holman Ranch, which is an amazing part of history. The ranch was originally part of lands belonging to the Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo in the Spanish era.
The ranch passed through a number of hands and in 1928 a modest Spanish-style hacienda was constructed of impressive Carmel stone walls and adorned with handmade Mexican terracotta roofing and hard-carved oak-beamed ceilings. Nicknamed Casa Escondida, the estate served as an exclusive hideaway for many Hollywood celebrities including Charlie Chaplin.
Holman Ranch Vineyard is located in the heart of Carmel Valley and the estate-grown wines are grown on 19 acres of undulating terrain. The warmth of the valley and the cooling marine layer has made it an ideal climate for the production of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
The 2011 Heather’s Hill Pinot is loaded with terroir. The deep ruby wine has an earthy aroma. On the palate this wine has tobacco notes and light cherry. This wine is smooth and distinctive with a light to medium body.
Holman Ranch Pinots benefit from southern exposure, thin rocky soil and hillsides that allow them to produce four different Pinot Noirs (Heather’s Hill, Hunter’s Cuvee, Estate and a Rosé of Pinot Noir).
Heather’s Hill is unique with an earthy quality that would make it a great pick for discerning Pinot fans. This is also from a low profile California AVA that produces some very unique wines. The wine retails for $37.
Full disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.
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