2005 San Saba Vineyards Pinot Noir

 

Mission Codename: Pinot, the Lion Hearted

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to San Saba winery and return with the remainder of their well-reputed Pinot Noir

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: San Saba Vineyards

Wine Subject: 2005 San Saba Vineyards Pinot Noir

Winemaker: Sabrine Rodems and Jeff Ritchey

Backgrounder:

Last year we featured another great San Saba wine. It was very popular with our Operatives, so when they demanded a follow-on wine, Agent Red was dispatched to recover their Pinot Noir. He loved the wine and was able to get his hands on all of their remaining inventory.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Beautifully clear with pink and ruby hues in the center and pink at the edges, with long and widely spaced legs that creep down the glass

Smell – Deep and warm aromas of chocolate covered cherry, spice, gunpowder, a hint of red apple and softest earthen mushroom

Feel – Wet, smooth and very round. Slippery and pleasing with velvety tannins

Taste – Layers of all-over-the-mouth cherry, cassis and white plum, with mild spice, cedar and mildest dried meats

Finish – Long and lingering fruit and mild spice flavors with tannins that grip the top of the tongue and the lips

Conclusion – Once again San Saba and its winemaking team prove that superb wines are made in Monterey County. This Pinot is classic California, but with a special mouth-feel and flavor profile that stands out as a great Pinot Noir!

Wine and Winery Brief:

San Saba may be a smaller winery than its bigger neighbors, but that makes them no less of a great wine producer. In fact, their wines and their commitment to their craft reveal that they embody the spirit of the proud lions that are emblazoned on their bottles.

Think of San Saba like a little, undiscovered estate in Burgundy that is tucked between two Grand Cru vineyards. San Saba is sandwiched between the vineyards of Mer Soleil , Double L, Sleepy Hollow, Gary’s & Rosella’s Vineyards. To the north you’ll find another Mer Soleil vineyard and Pisoni vineyard. To the South Hahn Estates and Pariso. All in all, that’s some pretty great company to be in and San Saba holds their own against the best of these.

Monterey County is producing some remarkable wine champions and the climate at San Saba’s location is in what they describe as the perfect growing climate.

On a previous mission, I scoured the area for looking for great wines and happened upon San Saba almost by accident. Am I glad that I wandered into their tasting room that day as the entire crew there were great fun – and the wine tasting we did that day made me an instant convert to their wines.

Today’s offering is extremely limited. There are only [CENSORED] cases remaining and once we are sold out, you will never be able to get this wine again. San Saba gave us the last of this great Pinot Noir.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of San Saba Vineyards and tasting room can be seen in this satellite photo.

Limited Wine Alert!

San Saba gave us all of their remaining stock of this great wine. With only a few cases to sell today, be sure to make your purchase early.