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2018 Neely "Upper Picnic Block - Spring Ridge Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

2018 Neely "Upper Picnic Block - Spring Ridge Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

93

Vinous

Review Date: 09/2024

The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate Upper Picnic Block is eminently charming in its sweet-fruited, exuberantly spiced, medium-weight build. Layers of kirsch, raspberry sauce, cinnamon, cardamom and iodine mark a wine of sexiness and sensuality. Again, this is a style reflective of a different era for Neely. Growing season differences notwithstanding, the 2018 checks in at 14.1% alcohol, nearly two full degrees higher than the 2021 tasted alongside. I prefer this edition, as it’s still finessed but has more stage presence and inner harmony. The finish is long, blue-fruited and caressing. (BN)

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Price: $29.95

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Staff Reviews

K&L Buyer
Review Date: 12/2024
Email Ryan
I've had a couple bottles of this beauty in the past two weeks and I must admit I'm quite smitten! From a 2-acre block of Dijon 777 clone grafted in 2006 onto older root stock planted in 1982. This is a very alluring, coy, elegant Pinot Noir that needs a minute or two to unfurl in the glass...but when it does it's all class. Wonderfully pure, precise wild forest berries, black raspberry, sandalwood, clove and other mulling spices. Hints of dried porcini and leaf litter, truffle, anise, clean soil (if that's even a thing!?) A magical wine that draws you in slowly. It's not bombastic and effusive, but the subtly and elegance here makes it all the more appealing as the layers slowly open. It really comes alive with roast chicken and herbed potatoes. Silky and elegant now, but still has plenty of poise and energy to cellar for another 5-8 maybe 10 years. Incredible pricing for our insider's Advantage members.
Review Date: 12/2024
Email Scott
There are so many interesting new Pinot Noir's coming in at this time. This Neely is certainly one of them. A strikingly original nose of dark raspberry, cranberry, baking Spices and light clove. In the mouth, dark cranberry and cherry, blood orange, new and clean oak. It finishes very clean. Light on its feet with very nice fruit and spice. A winner.

Notes

This wine comes from the organically-tended Spring Ridge Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a two-acre planting on an east-facing slope at about 600 feet above sea level. The site is dry-farmed, which makes for an inredible earth-driven Pinot with all of the Santa Cruz character you want and the balance, texture and deliciousness you'd expect from a wine made by Bob and Jim Varner.

Product Details

Origin: Santa Cruz Mountains, California, United States

Type/Varietal: Pinot Noir

Alcohol Content: 12.7%

SKU: #1801370