The Ojai Vineyard, Puerta del Mar Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, California, USA 2015

The 2.5ha Puerta del Mar vineyard lies outside the Sta Rita Hills AVA, and is Ojai's coolest site, getting the full Pacific Ocean influence. At five years, this wine is just hitting its stride, offering raspberry, savoury spice, dusky earthy tones and a breezy, mineral edge on the smooth palate. Good structure from 11 months in French oak barrels, 25% new, and mouthwatering acidity through the finish. The dry, low-yielding 2015 vintage gives more concentration to what is normally a more linear wine, and was only the fifth fruiting for these young vines.