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16th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival

2005 Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir

The Kendall-Jackson 16th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival Pinot Noir is a delightful red wine from the renowned Arroyo Seco region, celebrated for its cool climate and well-drained soils that impart unique characteristics to its varietals. This vintage from 2005 showcases a medium-bodied profile, offering a pleasing balance of acidity that enhances its overall freshness. With fruit intensity that is prominent yet not overwhelming, the wine reveals vibrant notes of red cherry, raspberry, and subtle earthiness, perfectly complemented by delicate hints of spice. The tannins are soft and approachable, adding to the wine's smooth texture, while its dryness keeps the palate refreshed, making it an excellent choice for pairing with a variety of dishes. Overall, this wine encapsulates the essence of Arroyo Seco, reflecting the region's dedication to quality winemaking and its harmonious blend of flavors.

Tasting notes:


Black Cherry

Black Cherry

Baking Spice

Baking Spice

Cranberry

Cranberry

Flavor profile:


Acidity Mild

Low Pronounced

Body Medium

Very Light Full

Fruit Intensity Medium

Low Pronounced

Sweetness Dry

Bone Dry Sweet

Tannin Medium

Low Pronounced

Pairs well with:


Duck Breast, Roasted Herbed Chicken, Seared Salmon

Region:


Arroyo Seco

Lying in the middle of the Salinas Valley, the under-appreciated Arroyo Seco AVA is a beacon of cool-climate winemaking in Monterey County. Its vineyards—especially those to the east—are buffeted for much of the day by cold Pacific winds and shrouded by fog. This combines to give Arroyo Seco an extremely long growing season. Soils throughout the AVA are stony, and these stones absorb sunlight to provide additional heat to the vines. While winemakers face a challenging growing environment, the effort is worth it, as the area produces superbly balanced Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling; intriguing Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon perform well in the western part of the AVA.

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