The Tasting Panel magazine

September 2016

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/723381

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 113 of 116

september 2016  /  the tasting panel  /  1 13 cultivating the highest-quality wine grapes. Winemaker Ken Post has wisely chosen to develop his stable of grapes from the Central Coast's prime regions in Monterey County and further south in Santa Maria. "My game plan is to associate myself with winners," says Post, who with consulting superstar Larry Brooks (formerly of Acacia and Tolosa wineries) has hit a jackpot with his Pinot Noirs this year at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. The CRU ¯ 2014 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley won Best Pinot Noir and Best in Show Red this year. CRU ¯ 2014 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands received a Double Gold. Setting His Sites Less than three hours west of Madera are the Santa Lucia Highlands, where Post has hand-picked sites for the Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, working closely with Jason Smith of Paraiso Vineyards. "Most of the fruit is from the Smith family's Sarmento Vineyard and some from their home ranch," he tell us. For the CRU ¯ Monterey Chardonnay, Post prefers the terroir of Arroyo Seco in Southern Monterey County. "I usually choose the same rows every year," Post offers, "but sometimes there's a row I really would prefer and because of my relationships, I usually have the opportunity to be that selective—and it pays off." According to consultant winemaker Larry Brooks, the Pinot Noirs display a true-CRU ¯ personality. "The quality of these wines is obviously good," comments Brooks. "But more important is that the Pinot Noirs are stylistically sympathetic to a feminine nature, showing the light, delicate side of this variety." The Best of Show CRU ¯ 2014 Pinot Noir displays Santa Maria's iconic earthiness. On the nose, cigar and black pepper wrap around ripe strawberries. The pillow-soft, roundness of the mouthfeel and the cool edgy acidity, make this more femme fatale than wallflower. Out of over 2,000 red wines tasted at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, this energetic Pinot had the 52 judges unani- mously wowed. PHOTO COURTESY OF CRU WINE CO. PHOTO COURTESY OF CRU WINE CO. PHOTO COURTESY OF CRU WINE CO. DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL, 96 points: CRU ¯ 2014 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands ($20) Best Pinot Noir & Best in Show Red, DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL, 98 points: CRU ¯ 2014 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley ($25) SILVER MEDAL: CRU ¯ 2014 Pinot Noir, Aubaine Vineyard, San Luis Obispo County ($30) SILVER MEDAL: Mariposa 2013 Tempranillo, Paso Robles ($20) PHOTO COURTESY OF CRU WINE CO. PHOTO COURTESY OF CRU WINE CO. CRU ¯ Winery's Winemaker Ken Post (right) with The Tasting Panel's Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue and Publisher and Editorial Director Meridith May. "My game plan is to associate myself with winners," —Ken Post

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - September 2016