Dec 30, 2022
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Blair Estate
| Owner(s) | Jeffrey Blair |
| Web site | www.blairwines.com |
| Link to this site |
A specialist in Pinot Noir from the Arroyo Seco AVA based on Delfina's Vineyard. The family's grandparents bought the property in the 1920s. Beginning in 2007, Delfina's grandson Jeffrey Blair, a successful cattle rancher, began planting Pinot Noir on the family's old ranch. Today, the vineyard is just over five acres of Pinot Noir, two acres of Chardonnnay and one block of Muscat.
The debut release of Delfina's Vineyard Pinot Noir came with the 2010 vintage and is a field blend of clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard 4. A Pinot Gris from sourced grapes is also produced.
Articles About Blair Estate
Reviewed Wines
2013 Blair Estate Delfina’s Vineyard Arroyo Seco Monterey County Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 400 cases,
$45. Released summer 2016. Clones are Pommard 4 (50%), 115, 667 and 777.
·
Moderately light reddish purple
color in the glass. The expressive nose offers scents of cherry, sandalwood and cigar box. The gorgeous mid
weight core of Bing cherry fruit alerts the senses, expands in the mouth, and finishes on a high note with plenty
of cherry goodness. There is significant oak overlay but I did not find it particularly intrusive, and otherwise the
wine’s balance was quite tidy.
Score: 90.
Reviewed September 7, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Blair Estate The Reserve Delfina’s Vineyard Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 110 cases, $75.
Release summer 2016. Clones 115, 777 and Pommard 4 from home vineyard. Debut release and the
winemaker’s ultimate vintage statement in 2013. (Note: the wine is bottled with a thick wax capsule and a pull
tab but is very difficult to open. The look is very classy, but the imposing challenge of opening the wine offsets
the eye candy).
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with a fusion of cherry and
spirited oak aromas. Light to mid weight in style, with a delectable core of cherry, cranberry and spicy oak
flavors. Gentle tannins make for easy approachability, and the wine finishes with a bright charge of sweet
cherry fruit accompanied by a cleansing and slightly citrus-driven acidity. This wine is not a typical blockbuster
reserve but is more dedicated to Pinot Noir elegance and typicality, proving that Pinot Noir doesn’t have to be
big and extracted to be superb.
Score: 92.
Reviewed June 18, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Blair Estate Delfina’s Vineyard Arroyo Seco Monterey County Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 400 cases, $45. Released summer 2016. Clones are Pommard 4 (50%), 115, 667 and 777. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The expressive nose offers scents of cherry, sandalwood and cigar box. The gorgeous mid weight core of Bing cherry fruit alerts the senses, expands in the mouth, and finishes on a high note with plenty of cherry goodness. There is significant oak overlay but I did not find it particularly intrusive, and otherwise the wine’s balance was quite tidy. Score: 90. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Blair Estate The Reserve Delfina’s Vineyard Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 110 cases, $75. Release summer 2016. Clones 115, 777 and Pommard 4 from home vineyard. Debut release and the winemaker’s ultimate vintage statement in 2013. (Note: the wine is bottled with a thick wax capsule and a pull tab but is very difficult to open. The look is very classy, but the imposing challenge of opening the wine offsets the eye candy). · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with a fusion of cherry and spirited oak aromas. Light to mid weight in style, with a delectable core of cherry, cranberry and spicy oak flavors. Gentle tannins make for easy approachability, and the wine finishes with a bright charge of sweet cherry fruit accompanied by a cleansing and slightly citrus-driven acidity. This wine is not a typical blockbuster reserve but is more dedicated to Pinot Noir elegance and typicality, proving that Pinot Noir doesn’t have to be big and extracted to be superb. Score: 92. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »