Domaine de la Cote Pinot Noir Memorious 2021

Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir 'Memorious' is a profoundly expressive, structurally distinct single-vineyard masterpiece that showcases the rich, darker-fruited spectrum of Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman's revolutionary Sta. Rita Hills estate. Spanning 3.5 acres on the property’s extreme, windswept western edge, the 'Memorious' block sits on an east-facing slope sheltered from the most punishing Pacific winds. It features the deepest topsoil on the estate—a unique matrix of rich, dark alluvial clay loam sitting directly above a deep bedrock of ancient, lifted marine sediment and Monterey shale. This clay-heavy soil composition retains slightly more moisture and nutrients than the rocky, exposed shale slopes of nearby 'Bloom's Field,' giving 'Memorious' a naturally more plush, succulent, and texturally generous personality. Farmed under strict certified organic and biodynamic practices, the fruit undergoes a slow, spontaneous fermentation driven entirely by native wild yeasts, utilizing a significant percentage of whole clusters (typically 30% to 50%) for aromatic lift and stemmy structure before a 14-month maturation strictly in seasoned French oak barrels.

In the glass, it pours a beautifully translucent yet slightly denser ruby-violet color with deep magenta glints. The nose is instantly complex, deep, and savory, opening with an evocative bouquet of dark wild strawberries, black raspberries, and damp forest floor, intricately interwoven with signature whole-cluster notes of freshly cracked black pepper, anise, dried rose petals, and a touch of gamey iron. On the palate, the wine balances weightless elegance with surprising muscular volume. A fleshy, remarkably focused core of dark red and blue fruits completely coats the mouth, effortlessly supported by an ultra-fine, velvety network of tannins and a vibrant line of cool-climate natural acidity. The clay-and-shale terroir asserts itself on the mid-palate, introducing a deeply tactile mineral weight and a persistent wave of mouth-watering, maritime salinity. It finishes bone-dry, exceptionally clean, and long, leaving an elegant trail of orange zest, white pepper, and a tight, mineral-infused grip.