2023 WALT Clos Pepe Pinot Noir

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2023 WALT Clos Pepe Pinot Noir

Name: 2023 WALT Clos Pepe Pinot Noir
Brand: Walt Wines
SKU: 23WPN7CP-6PK
Price: 90.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$90.00

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96 POINTS
The Wine Palate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
"Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2023 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir comes bounding out with notes of ripe blackberries and wild blueberries, plus hints of lilacs, Indian spices, and forest floor. The full-bodied palate delivers impactful black fruit layers with a velvety texture and a lively line, finishing long and spicy."

92 POINTS
Jeb Dunnuck
"The deepest hued in the lineup, the 2023 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and layered on the palate, with a core of black raspberry and Bing cherry fruit, some spicy wood and floral nuances, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. Made with 5% whole clusters and aged 10 months in 40% new French oak, I like it today yet see no reason it shouldn't evolve nicely over the coming 7-8 years. Drink 2025-2032."

90 POINTS
Vinous Media, Billy Norris
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe is a layered, cherry-fruited wine with notable minerality and structure. More importantly, it’s considerably more glued-together than the Sta. Rita Hills appellation bottling. A mélange of ripe Navel orange, baking spice and pomegranate leads to a slightly rough finish. Time in bottle should soften some of that edginess."

Tasting notes

Deep ruby in color, this wine reveals intense aromas of black cherry and ripe pomegranate, intertwined with loamy earth and floral nuances. The palate is equally fresh and rich, offering a focused concentration of fruit laced with accents of singed oak and spice. The structured finish highlights the wine's depth, complexity, and elegance.

Cherry
Pomegranate
Floral
Oak

Map showcasing the Central Coast Appellation of California

Vineyard notes

Clos Pepe Vineyard

Situated in a cool enclave within the Sta. Rita Hills. A long growing season accumulates saturated flavors.

Central Coast AVA

Roughly 250 miles along the coastline of California from Santa Barbara County to San Francisco County.

Sta. Rita Hills

Follows a clearly defined maritime throat that ushers in the Pacific fog and constant cooling breezes.

Sandy Loam Soils

Cause vines to produce grapes with powerful varietal character.

Wine Facts

Clos Pepe is a very special vineyard site located in the heart of Sta. Rita Hills within and east west corridor that provides a strong maritime influence. Cooler growing temperatures allow for extended hang time. Limiting sandy soils provide small vines with intense clusters. A mixture of Dijon clones and Pommard clone sourced throughout the vineyard help bring balance and nuance to the finished blend.

Bottle Size

750ml

Varietal Composition

100% Pinot Noir

Barrel Aging

10 Months in 40% New French Oak

Vineyard Designation

Clos Pepe Vineyard

Appellation

Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Barbara County

Vintage Notes

Remarkably cool and late, the 2023 vintage produced wines of singular character and quality. The winter season started wet, with record rainstorms and mountaintop snowfall, leaving aquifers full and vines healthy. A cool spring indicated the later harvest to come, with a late start to budbreak and a long flowering period on the vines that was accompanied by wildflower super blooms. Through mild summer temperatures the vines set an ample crop load with strong canopy growth. After patient waiting and long hangtimes, warm weather came at just the right moment in fall to push ripeness to completion, resulting in wines that are deep, vital, and age worthy.