From a special sloping plot at Horseshoe Vineyard. A limited cuvée made using only grapes of outstanding quality and 4-8 barrels only from the best vintages. Aged in French barrels for approximately 17 months (approximately 60% new barrels). More solidly structured than the regular cuvée, it has a serious hardness and pleasantly expresses the complex nuances of damp soil, the hardness reminiscent of stones and rocks, herbs, tea, mushrooms, etc., which are the characteristics of Pinot Noir. It expresses the characteristics of Horseshoe well, and has a sensual taste with a long aftertaste, with the intoxicating aroma and flavor of the luxurious and finest Pinot Noir concentrated.
About Reese's Grapes and Winemaking (Pinot Noir)
About Reese's grapes and winemaking (Pinot Noir): The grapes are harvested at the best time from each distinctive vineyard (balanced acidity, sugar and ripeness, never overripe), transported in small baskets (to avoid being crushed), and all brought cold to the cellar, which was completed in 2010 (located across the San Andreas Fault from Ridge's Monte Bello vineyards).
From the time the grapes are delivered until they are bottled, everything is designed to be done by gravity flow (gravity transports the grapes from higher to lower levels, and no pumps are used, so the juice is not put under any extra strain).
The sorting table is slow, and one ton of grapes is sorted in about an hour, and no unripe or overripe fruit is put into the fermentation tank.
The rate of whole-cluster fermentation varies from wine to wine.
The facility is equipped with approximately 120 1-ton stainless steel open-top fermentation tanks for small batch fermentation (see photo on the right).
The fermentation tank is small enough to be lifted with a forklift and moved without the need for a pump.
All fermentation is done using natural yeast, and it is interesting to note that the fermentation process varies from vineyard to vineyard.
The aging period varies depending on the wine, and is done in French barrels that have been naturally dried for four years (usually less than three years).
Unfiltered and bottled without artificial fining.
Hillside Cuvee
About 20 years after planting, it was discovered that a special block of grapes from Horseshoe could produce grapes of exceptional quality, and so Hillside Cuvee was released. It is only released in outstanding vintages, with only 4 to 8 barrels, and only when the characteristics of the vineyard are clearly expressed. 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 Horseshoe was released later than Alpine, with Hillside first released in 2013.
Vintage Information
The 2019 VTG began with a winter blessed with abundant rain, allowing the vines to escape the dryness of the previous year and sprout vigorously.
A warm spring led to excellent flowering and fruit set, followed by a smooth summer with plenty of sunshine and cool temperatures, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and perfectly, with excellent acidity.
The result was a wonderful harvest and a special vintage.
Technical information
Fermented in small 1-ton open-top stainless steel tanks (approximately 20% whole bunches), aged in French barrels for 17 months (approximately 30% new barrels), non-filtered, bottled without artificial fining
Tasting Comments
The structure is firmer than the regular Cuvee, with a serious firmness, and the complex nuances of damp earth, the hardness reminiscent of stone and rock, as well as herbs, tea, and mushrooms, all of which are characteristic of Pinot Noir, are pleasantly apparent.
The taste of Horseshoe Vineyard is "expressive of the terroir without feeling heavy". In recent years, its individuality has become very refined, with a dense umami flavor at the center of the taste, red fruits (rose, red cherry), spices (anise and licorice), and frilliness (stoneiness) sublimated lightly, making it feel not heavy at all. There is a magnificent presence of non-fruit aromas (black tea, mushrooms, rich spices, freshly tanned leather, raw meat, etc.). The smooth mouthfeel and firm, supple tannins are impressive, with a sensual aftertaste. If you drink it young, we recommend using a large glass to let it blend well and enjoy it slowly over time. It can also be expected to age for 15-20 years.
Field Information
Horseshoe Vineyard, Reese's own vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Planted in 2004, 7ha (5ha of which is Pinot Noir), at an altitude of 414m-490m, the soil is a thin layer of topsoil beneath which is a mixture of shale deposits known as the Monterey Formation and marine diatomaceous earth deposits.
The soil was formed 11-15 million years ago.
The San Andreas Fault undulates and twists, causing the bottom bedrock to rise and become intricately intricate.
The wine has good drainage and is rich in minerality, resulting in a complex, taut wine.
The area was named Horseshoe (after a horse's U-shaped horseshoe) because horses used to graze here before it was turned into a vineyard.
New tree plantings also underway in 2017
Vintage: 2019
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Medium bodied
Main variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains
Note: Rare item, limited stock vinous 98P Sep. 2020 by Antonio Galloni Jeb Dunnuck.com 97+P July,2021 by Jeb Dunnuck
Winemaker: Jeff Brinkman
Winemaking: Fermentation in stainless steel tanks (whole bunch ratio 20%), natural yeast fermentation
Aging: 17 months in French barrels (30% new), unfiltered
Soils: shale deposits, marine diatomaceous earth deposits
Rating: 90P or above
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 13.3%