Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard  2017

L'Usine Cellars

Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
2017

Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
California
Subregion
Monterey, Santa Lucia Highlands
Varietal(s)
Pinot Noir
Colour
Red
Aging vessel type
Aged 9.5 months in French oak, 65% newhs in French oak, 65% new
Producer's website

About this winery

L’usine is the latest collection of evocative wines from master winemaker Dave Phinney. Inspired by Andy Warhol, Dave chose the name L’usine (French for factory) to pay homage to Wharhol’s iconic studio “The Factory” which was an eclectic gathering place for artistic celebration and inspiration. Fine wine, like fine art, elicits romantic visions. Vineyards drenched in dappled sunlight or candle lit caves. Wine like art is raw. It requires years of hard work

See the L'Usine Cellars detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

Sleepy Hollow, which is located in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, was the surprise wine of the vintage. The vineyard blocks chosen are planted in Arroyo Seco gravelly sand loam. Blocks 32, 23 and 31 were farmed for l’usine with clones: Martini, 667, 777, the Martini clone is own rooted. All hand harvested.

Production notes

100% Destemmed • 4-5 Day Cold Soak • All picks and lots kept separate • 10-14 Days on the skins • Punched down 3-4x a day depending on each lot • Gravity racked to barrel and sat on the lees; no stirring • Aged 9.5 months in French oak, 65% new • Predominantly Francois Feres, Damy and Cadus • Not fined; lightly filtered

Tasting notes

To the eye, a lucid crimson sits in the glass. Aromatics of ripe cranberries, forest floor, morels and a touch of bramble engage. The wine slips onto the palate with a silky, enveloping entry of pure juice and ripe cherry with layers evolving while breathing. Incredibly balanced and riveting, the wine closes with concentration and finesse—an exemplar of drinkability.

Press reviews

Wine Advocate

- 93 points -

This new wine from David Phinney (creator of the famous/infamous brand, The Prisoner) was aged for nine months in oak barrels, 70% new. Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2017 Pinot Noir Sleeping Hollow Vineyard soars out of the glass with intense notes of Bing cherries, fresh raspberries and cranberries with touches of Provence herbs, lavender and forest floor with a waft of roses. Full-bodied, the palate quivers with energy, delivering layers of red berries and fragrant herbs with a firm, grainy frame, finishing and savory. This one seems to need 2-3 years to really spring into action and should easily cellar for a good 10-12 years.

See detailed press review