Vineyard: Woodruff

AppellationSanta Cruz Mountains
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Big Basin Vineyards Woodruff Family Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 80 cases, $65. Release April 2018. About 38-year-old vines planted at 436 to 515 feet elevation in sandy loam. Unknown heritage selection. 100% whole cluster native yeast fermentation. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 33% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of underbrush, mulch and flower blossom persist in the glass. Quite restrained initially with a primarily savory undergrowth and earth character. When tasted later in the day from a previously opened bottle, this wine showed the most dramatic change, offering appealing mid weight flavors of blueberry, boysenberry, black cherry and spice.The silken mouthfeel attracts. Somewhat rigorous tannins need time to mollify. This is definitely a wine to lay down for a year or two. Score: 93. Reviewed January 20, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Big Basin Woodruff Family Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 80 cases, $65. 100% whole cluster, native yeast primary fermentation, aged 15 months in French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Engaging aromas of cherry, rose petal, burnt tobacco and cardamom spice. Mouthwatering cherry core framed by very fine tannins. Fresh and juicy, with impressive harmony and some length on the cherry-fueled finish. The tannins have largely resolved since last reviewed in 2018. Score: 94. Reviewed August 29, 2020 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Big Basin Vineyards Woodruff Family Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

A dry-farmed vineyard located in the Corralitos sub-region, planted over 30 years ago. Elevation is 400 feet. Soils are sandy loam. 25% whole cluster, aged 15 months in primarily transparent French oak barrels. · Deep reddishpurple color in the glass. Aromas of dark berries with a slight green note. Flavors of blackberries and plum with a hint of tarry oak in the background. Bright acidity. Delicate finish that has some length. Good. Reviewed April 13, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Ghostwriter Woodruff Family Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., $44. · Light reddish color in the glass. Aromas of strawberries, red cherries, sandalwood and wood spice, with wood predominating over time in the glass. Relatively light in weight, with appealing flavors of ripe strawberries and cherries with oak in the background. Supple tannins with a good spark of acidity make for an easy drinking, food friendly wine. Fashioned for drinking now. Good. Reviewed October 2, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Arista Woodruff Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.65, TA .57, 60 cases, $55. Released summer 2011. A one-time bottling. This vineyard is located in Corralitos, five miles inland from Monterey Bay and adjacent Windy Oaks Vineyard. Originally known as the Matteson Vineyard, it was planted in 1978 to a now forgotten selection of Pinot Noir. Peter and Barbara Woodruff acquired the vineyard in 2001 and dedicated themselves to preserving this venerable vineyard. Own-rooted. Yields are about .75 tons per acre. Aged in 33% new and 67% 2-3-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of black cherries and black raspberries initially, fading a bit to reveal notes of exotic spices, stem and rose petals. The wine features layered darker fruits, particularly black cherries, that are modest in concentration with an oak influence that tends to fade over time in the glass. Nicely balanced with supple tannins and a velvety mouth feel. Doesn’t emote, but grows on you over time in the glass. Needs more time to come together. Good (+). Reviewed August 13, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »