Carte Blanche Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Carte Blanche’s Sun Chase Vineyard Pinot Noir is a finely sculpted expression of Sonoma Coast terroir, shaped by the cool, wind-swept slopes of the Petaluma Gap. Situated at elevations reaching 1,400 feet on the western-facing slopes of Sonoma Mountain, Sun Chase Vineyard sits above the fog line and is shaped by volcanic soils and constant marine influence. These conditions slow ripening and preserve acidity while allowing for full the phenolic development ideal for nuanced, expressive Pinot Noir. The fruit is hand-harvested, destemmed, and cold-soaked before fermentation with native and cultured yeasts. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, roughly 40% new, for an extended élevage that enhances structure and aromatic complexity without overwhelming the site’s natural expression. The nose is both delicate and expansive, offering high-toned red fruit notes Bing cherry, wild strawberry, and red plum layered with rose petal, orange peel, dried thyme, with the faint suggestion of pine needle and forest floor. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and satiny, driven by bright, lifted acidity and fine-grained tannins. Flavors of pomegranate, black raspberry, cranberry compote, and Earl Grey tea unfold alongside subtle baking spice, crushed granite, and dried sage. The finish is long, refined, and mineral-etched, with a persistent savory spice and coastal salinity. This is a wine that walks the line between generosity and restraint, California sunshine and Burgundian finesse. It shows beautifully in its youth but has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 7 to 10 years.