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Produced from the cool and windswept vineyards of the Sonoma Coast AVA, the appealing 93 pt. 2022 Schug Pinot Noir offers aromatic juicy red fruit hinting of cedar and spice with bright acidity on a smooth and supple finish, sourced from a fabulous Sonoma vintage where “Pinot Noir leads the way” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous and over delivering value at an outstanding bargain price.
Growing up in his family’s vineyards of Germany’s Rhine River Valley, celebrated winemaker Walter Schug brought his passion for Pinot to California in the 1950’s, becoming renowned as the founding winemaker at Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa where he created the iconic Insignia blend before leaving to pioneer the production of cool climate Pinot Noir on a 42-acre property in Carneros in 1980. Remaining family-owned and now run by Walter’s children, the 2022 Schug Pinot Noir was crafted by young German-born winemaker Johannes Scheid who is credited with employing a terroir-driven approach with limited intervention in the cellar and moving the winery towards greater sustainability. Perched above Sonoma Valley just north of San Francisco Bay, the Schug estate vineyards enjoy a long, sunny growing season with cool Pacific fog and winds coursing through the Petaluma Gap, the longer hangtime and lower yields enhancing complexity while preserving freshness in the Pinot Noir grapes. Sourced from the Schug estate vineyards as well as some of Sonoma’s County’s premier coastal growers including Sangiacomo Vineyard, winemaker Scheid aged the elegant 2022 Schug Pinot Noir in a mix of large neutral oak casks and older French barrels as well as stainless steel tanks, balancing fresh aromatic fruit with vibrant, silky tannins and yielding a harmonious and layered Pinot Noir that’s equally delicious for sipping or when paired with food.
Crafted by the region’s pioneer of cool climate Pinot Noir, the enticing 93 pt. 2022 Schug Pinot Noir reflects the quality legacy of its founder and its Sonoma Coast pedigree, a top rated, top value California Pinot Noir that’s bargain priced for everyday indulgence. |