Lieu Dit : Rose of Pinot Noir 2017

An Elegant Californian Pinot Noir Rose with a Savoury Finish

Lieu Dit winery was established in 2011 as a collaboration between Justin Willett of Tyler Wines and Eric Railsback, former lead sommelier at RN74 by Michael Mina. Inspired by their trips to France, Railsback and Willett decided to produce wines from grape varieties indigenous to the Loire Valley and grown in the Santa Barbara County of California. Their Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir vines grow in a wide array of microclimates and marine soils to be found in this region. The Lieu Dit Rosé 2017 is a 100% Pinot Noir rose made by the saignee method, by which a portion of red wine juice is "bled off" after a short period of maceration with skins and seeds. The fruit is harvested from the historic Sanford & Benedict vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and fermented in stainless steel tanks before maturing in neutral barrels for a period of 5 months. They are then racked back out to tank and bottled.

The Lieu Dit Rosé 2017 presents a pretty and clean, pale pink color in the glass. On the nose, this wine offers a nice combination of fruit (notes of stawberry, watermelon, citrus and papaya), as well as a pleasant minerality, reminiscent of crushed gravel. On the palate, the flavors are consistent with the nose, with additional savory notes adding intrigue and a beautifully lively acidity continuing until the finish.