DiPalermo Mt. Carmel Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 Red Wine

DiPalermo Mt. Carmel Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 

Sta. Rita Hills, CA

750 ml

94 pts. Jeb Dunnuck:

"The 2018 Pinot Noir Mt. Carmel is also from the Sta. Rita Hills and was 75% destemmed and aged in one-third new French oak. Spiced raspberries, spicy oak, dried herbs, and some floral notes all define the bouquet. Another medium-bodied, elegant wine under this label, it's still tight and compact on the palate, (note - this was August of 2020) but I love its purity as well as the balance. Give it another 6-12 months, and it should see its 10th birthday in fine form." - JD 8/4/2020

The Mount Carmel vineyard is one of the oldest in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Planted in 1989, it sits smack-dab in the middle of the AVA. DiPalermo has done a great job with it, creating a wine with a lovely nose that draws you in, a rich mouthfeel with layers and layers of fruit and earthy flavors, all in superb balance. It’s drinking beautifully now (2025). Truly an upper-echelon Sta. Rita Hills Pinot. And it’s organic to boot! - Wine Factor

FROM THE WINERY

Nestled in the heart of Sta. Rita Hills AVA – Mt Carmel Vineyard is the crown jewel of sites for pinot noir Barbara County. Perched above the Santa Ynez River, Mt Carmel is in direct connection to the cool on shore influence of the Pacific Ocean. A gradual south facing slope offers ample sun exposure… and rich loamy soil – endows the wine with fresh acidity, classic structure and focused mid palate concentration.

Cellar Approach

Fermented in 1.5 ton open top bins – we utilize 15% whole cluster to include more aromatic lift and tannic pliancy in the structure. Punched down 2X per day throughout fermentation – the wine is pressed directly to barrel post 14 days skin contact. Raised in 50% New French Oak, the pinot noir ages on gross lees through malolactic fermentation. Post malo (~6 months post primary fermentation) the wine is racked off the heavy lees and blended in tank. The homogenous blend is returned to barrel, and continues to age for another 4-5 months off the lees.

Notes:

Saline raspberry preserve, evolves through hourglass mineral dissolve. Linear and dignified, blossoms to generous and expansive. Powerful in the esoteric, prestigious in its precision. Exemplary Sta. Rita Hills expression of intricate and luxury.