Hartford Court 2016 Pinot Noir, Seascape Vyd., Sonoma Coast

Hartford Family Winery produces outstanding Sonoma County Pinot Noirs from prime locations throughout Sonoma county. Seascape Vineyard is a six-acre site on a scenic ridge-top west of the town of Occidental in the Sonoma Coast AVA. The vineyard abuts an old redwood grove and faces cascading ridges to Bodega Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The well-known Coastlands Vineyard also borders the property. Because there is no ridge between the ocean and the vineyard, Seascape is in extremely cold spot – so cold that Pinot Noir is often picked in November. This cold and foggy coastal climate preserves natural acidity in the grapes and helps delineate the purity of fruit flavors and expression of the unique coastal terroir in this wine. Balanced natural acidity also accentuates the potential for long and graceful aging of Seascape Vineyard Pinot Noirs. Seascape Vineyard is planted primarily to Dijon selections such as 777, 114 and 115 and averages about one ton per acre, which helps to ensure thorough physiological maturity in this cool and challenging site. Aged 17 months in 27% new French oak.

The Wine Advocate scored this 97 points saying "The 2016 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Seascape Vineyard is pale to medium ruby-purple colored and opens with vibrant cranberries, pomegranate and Bing cherries scents with touches of underbrush, wild sage, red roses and mossy bark with a waft of tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate packs in the elegant red fruit and earthy layers, finishing on a long, lingering, provocative mineral note."


Jeb Dunnuck scored this 98 points saying "Leading off the Pinot Noirs, the 2016 Pinot Noir Seascape Vineyard comes from a ridgetop vineyard located west of the town of Occidental. Aged 17 months in 27% new French oak, it offers a savory, marine-influenced bouquet of wild strawberries, cranberries, rose petals, and Asian spices. With medium to full body, supple tannins, and a great, great finish as well as a singular character, this magical Pinot Noir from this team will benefit from a year in bottle and keep for over a decade."