2012 Alfaro Family Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Lindsay Paige Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains.
I don’t know how I missed this one in my cellar, but I’m sure glad it was there on Christmas, it was a gorgeous and thrilling wine to follow up on the Christmas meal, it had to impress, since it was coming after a stunning Vajra Riesling and a slightly dried out 1986 Chave Hermitage, and it did beautifully! Thank you Richard Alfaro, you saved Christmas with this estate Lindsay Paige Vineyard Pinot, it certainly made my night. The Alfaro estate in Corralitos, not far from Santa Cruz and Aptos, is a gem in the hills focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, though they also do a great set of Gruner Veltliner, Albarino and Syrah, taking advantage of the closeness of the cool Pacific Ocean and good exposures the wines here show a vitality and brilliance, especially this Lindsay Paige Pinot Noir, which is showing fantastic right now, but should go for 10 or more years with ease. At a click under 14% and a deep ruby hue this wine has blossomed in the bottle with silky fine tannins and mouth feel as well as exceptional purity of fruit, it’s a very classy Pinot with dark cherry, plum, dense raspberry and pretty cedary/spicy oak shadings, light mineral tones, cinnamon and tangy fennel along with lingering strawberry and currant. In some ways it feels Oregon like and has layered complexity, graceful acidity, subtle floral notes and earthy tones in the background, this 2012 Alfaro Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Lindsay Paige really hit the spot, and even though I’m already a die hard fan of Richard’s artisan wines, this knocked my socks off, and it reminds me I need to get more of his wines!
($40 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive
