May 5, 2013
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Vineyard: Paraiso
| Owner | Rich Smith |
| Appellation | Santa Lucia Highlands |
| Story | Paraiso is the oldest estate in the Santa Lucia Highlands. In 2008, the vineyard obtained official certification as a "Sustainable Vineyard," the first in Monterey to be so-certified. |
| Varieties | Pinot Noir |
Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard
Wineries sourcing from this vineyard
Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard
2009 Dept C Paraiso Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.59, $35. Clone
777, de-stemmed. Aged in second year and neutral oak barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the
glass. Aromas of dark red cherries and berries with a hint of toasty oak, fading in the glass over time. A
delicate wine with demure flavors of cherries and strawberries and subtle oak. Decent.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2007 Dept C Paraiso Old Vines Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., about 600 cases, $36.
·
Quite an elegant offering from the Santa Lucia Highlands featuring dark stone fruits, charming mouth feel, and lively acidity on the bright finish. Tasted in a restaurant and I was quite impressed, especially for the reasonable tariff.
Reviewed June 19, 2010
WINERY »
2005 Figge Cellars Paraiso Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 895 cases, $42.
This wine comes from the Paraiso Vineyard
located at the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Owners
Rich and Claudia McFarland pioneered Monterey vineyards in the
early 1970s. Son Jason now manages the 400 acres of vineyards planted
primarily to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Figge accessed fruit from a block
planted in 1998 to clones 115, 667 and 777.
·
A well-crafted middleweight
style with plenty of charm. Spicy cherries, cola and a hint of fecundity in the nose. Flavors tend
toward the earthy with dusted red and blue fruits and a deft touch of oak. A good acid spine backs up the
pleasure.
Reviewed November 20, 2007
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2003 Paraiso Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey County Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 3,990 cases, $15. The Paraiso ("Pa-rye-zo") estate vineyard is high in the Santa Lucia Mountains. The name, "Paraiso," was given to the mountainside by early Spanish explorers. The Smith family has lived on the 400-acre estate for three decades. The winemaker is David Fleming. A Gold Medal winner at the 2006 Orange County Fair Wine Competition.
·
A very decent Pinot Noir featuring dark stone fruits, dark berries and oak on the nose and palate. A medium-weighted wine that like many Pinot Noirs in this price range, leaves you wanting more on the finish. Still, a satisfactory Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands where many Pinot Noirs are priced at $50 and up.
Reviewed September 5, 2006
WINERY »
2009 Dept C Paraiso Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.59, $35. Clone 777, de-stemmed. Aged in second year and neutral oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark red cherries and berries with a hint of toasty oak, fading in the glass over time. A delicate wine with demure flavors of cherries and strawberries and subtle oak. Decent. Reviewed July 1, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2007 Dept C Paraiso Old Vines Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., about 600 cases, $36. · Quite an elegant offering from the Santa Lucia Highlands featuring dark stone fruits, charming mouth feel, and lively acidity on the bright finish. Tasted in a restaurant and I was quite impressed, especially for the reasonable tariff. Reviewed June 19, 2010 WINERY »
2005 Figge Cellars Paraiso Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 895 cases, $42. This wine comes from the Paraiso Vineyard located at the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Owners Rich and Claudia McFarland pioneered Monterey vineyards in the early 1970s. Son Jason now manages the 400 acres of vineyards planted primarily to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Figge accessed fruit from a block planted in 1998 to clones 115, 667 and 777. · A well-crafted middleweight style with plenty of charm. Spicy cherries, cola and a hint of fecundity in the nose. Flavors tend toward the earthy with dusted red and blue fruits and a deft touch of oak. A good acid spine backs up the pleasure. Reviewed November 20, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2003 Paraiso Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey County Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 3,990 cases, $15. The Paraiso ("Pa-rye-zo") estate vineyard is high in the Santa Lucia Mountains. The name, "Paraiso," was given to the mountainside by early Spanish explorers. The Smith family has lived on the 400-acre estate for three decades. The winemaker is David Fleming. A Gold Medal winner at the 2006 Orange County Fair Wine Competition. · A very decent Pinot Noir featuring dark stone fruits, dark berries and oak on the nose and palate. A medium-weighted wine that like many Pinot Noirs in this price range, leaves you wanting more on the finish. Still, a satisfactory Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands where many Pinot Noirs are priced at $50 and up. Reviewed September 5, 2006 WINERY »
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