2016 Brea Pinot Noir

Region: Monterey County < CA
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming; aged in neutral French oak; minimal added SO2 at bottling only
Winemaker: Chris Brockway

Gorgeous, bright and aromatic Pinot from one of Cali’s top natural winemakers, Chris Brockway (Broc Cellars; Berkeley, CA), who is sourcing fruit from outside of his normal NorCal realm (there isn’t enough organic/bioD fruit to go around up here) to make the small line of Brea wines. FYI Rock Juice Melissa grew up in a small North OC town called Brea, so this wine is near and dear to our hearts. This pretty baby hails from a biodynamic vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County, where fog and cool nights keep the fruit and alcohol in check, but preserve all of the high-toned aromatics. It’s floral, with frisky hibiscus, raspberry and red cherry — coastal, cool climate Pinot at its best, especially for the incredibly friendly price point.