Lusine Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2018

L’usine is French for The Factory. It is a nod to all the Warhols of the world. All those with disdain for the status quo of a defined model. All of those with the defiant nature shared by artists and winemakers past and present.

Dave Phinney, L’Usine owner winemaker and owner, recently planted his first vineyard of 150-acres of Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills in California. The L’Usine Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir was aged for 9.5 months in French oak (65% new) and lightly filtered.

On the nose, the blend exhibits aromas of blueberry, raspberry, black pepper, and vanilla. The entry is refined yet immense with notes of redcurrant, cherry tart and traces of spice that follow through to the mid-palate. A backbone of acidity and a lengthy finish sets the wine up to age for many years.

Perfect paired with herb-crusted rack of lamb, BBQ pork ribs, beef bourguignon, duck and other game birds, grilled salmon, soft cheese, mushrooms, and root veggies.