This super steep, foresty, Grand Cru vineyard above Corralitos yielded one ton per acre in the face of the drought. Organically farmed by Prudy “The Grape Whisperer” Foxx, the lower slope of Mt. Eden and Pommard clones was hand picked September 16th. Deer Ridge Trail Vineyard reminds me of the Hirsch Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, where I once notoriously toiled. The 2022 is reddish purple, cranberry fruited with a splash of ripe orange, glossy, with an iced-oatmeal cookie and redwood-laced tea spice. Only two barrels made, one of them new, alcohol 14.5%, unfined, unfiltered.

93 points Decanter - “A savory and earth-driven single vineyard Pinot Noir from the Santa Cruz Mountains that balances ripeness with an excellent lift and freshness. Bright berry aromatics buoy darker elements of turned earth, lifted further by pine sap and fresh mint notes. The palate has a savory generosity, plenty of piquant herbs mingling with ripe, juicy red and black bramble fruits and finishes with a minty lift.”