Belle Glos 2016 Pinot Noir, Las Alturas Vyd., Santa Lucia Highlands, Magnum, 1.5L

Magnum, 1.5L
Belle Glos is a super premium Pinot Noir produced by none other than the Wagner family, famous for Caymus Vineyards. The striking red wax capsule is a statement to the exceptional character of this wine. The Wagner family purchased prime vineyard property in the Santa Lucia Highlands, famous for bold, distinctive Pinot Noir. Their Las Alturas Vineyard is a mere 15 acres and the sandy loam soils provide good drainage and yields are kept under two tons per acre. In this high altitude coastal enclave the carefully selected clones ripen slowly, developing rich, intensive flavors. 2016 was an excellent vintage, June warmed up and was followed by mild temperatures for the remainder of the season. The result was even ripening of a beautiful crop and a harvest that began two weeks earlier than the normal. After de-stemming but not crushing, the grapes were cold-soaked for up to two weeks to soften the skins and allow for ideal extraction. During fermentation in a combination of closed and open-top stainless steel fermenters, both punch-downs and pump-overs were used to extract color and tannins, and also to control temperatures and maximize flavors. Only free-run was sent to barrel, discarding the press juice, the wine aged in 100% French oak (60% new, 40% seasoned) for up to nine months.  Grandson, Joseph Wagner is the winemaker.

This wine has a 90 point score on Cellar Tracker and the Wine Spectator also scored it 90 points saying "Creamy oak is the salient feature in this appealing effort, marked by snappy wild berry, raspberry, gravelly earth and vanilla flavors. Drink now through 2025."