Ceritas Elliott Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, USA 2020
VINTAGE : 2020
COUNTRY : USA
REGION/APPELLATION : California, Sonoma Coast
VARIETALS : Pinot Noir
Helmed by founder John Raytek, Ceritas was established with their first vintage in 2005. Today there are 14 wines produced – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon – featuring historical sites that are dry farmed and poised to channel the style the team wants to create. Each of the sites are farmed organically, or biodynamically. Originally focusing solely on what is now the West Sonoma Coast, in 2011 they expanded their reach to the Santa Cruz Mountains, and most recently to Moon Mountain and Napa. In 2015, they moved into a new barrel room in Healdsburg, where they operate from today. Having had no investors or partners in the project, it allowed John and his team the freedom to experiment and to only bottle wines they wished to produce. From a winemaking perspective, they strive for minimal intervention in the cellar. Their oak selections are sourced from two coopers and utilize a light toast, from selections with a tight grain. The wines express a pure, focused style that will appeal to those who seek tension and precision.
We like this neighborhood. Elliot Vineyard tucks itself between Hellenthal Vineyards and the easternmost boundary of the Hirsch Vineyard. We were drawn to this site, planted in 1981 to the Mt. Eden clone of Pinot Noir, partly because of its unique perch, but primarily because its soils offer what we look for in a Pinot vineyard.
These shale soils are intermixed with decomposed marine sediments with slightly less clay than the neighboring Hellenthal vineyard. No soil amendments are added, enabling the ground to impart pure influence upon the vines. Organically and dry-farmed by the Hellenthal family, this vineyard straddles the ridge of parent rock, giving it the unique position of facing north and south. We harvest this vineyard in multiple passes, thereby obtaining maximum site expression. The resulting wine is bright and delicate, offering light perfume and excellent transparency.
"The 2020 Pinot Noir Elliott Vineyard is entirely sourced from the Mt. Eden clone, planted on blue schist and quartz soils, and utilized 40% whole cluster fermentation. It is bright with pure, poppy red fruit, fresh herbs, and wet stone. The palate offers a medium build, with rosehip, fresh cranberry, and stony minerality, and the perfume lingers on the palate long after the wine has dissipated. This is a beautifully lifted wine with such freshness and purity to drink over the next 15 or more years." Jeb Dunnuck 94 points