Tolosa Apex Vineyard Pinot Noir – Santa Lucia Highlands 2021

Tolosa Apex Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 is Californian Pinot Noir at its very best. A wine with elegance, depth and an almost Burgundian finesse – combined with the ripe, generous fruit that only California can deliver. This wine has earned a whopping 95 points from Wine Advocate and ranks among the most coveted Pinot Noir wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands.

It’s a wine for the discerning wine lover. For the collector. For those seeking exclusive American Pinot Noir wines with distinct terroir, high precision and great aging potential. Apex Vineyard Pinot Noir is both sophisticated and immediately alluring – a wine that impresses from the first glass.

A vintage shaped by nature’s precision

2021 was an exceptional year in the Santa Lucia Highlands. The growing season was cool and elongated. Rainfall was minimal, with the majority falling during one intense 72-hour downpour. The strong marine influence kept temperatures down and ensured slow, even ripening.

When the sun and heat returned in September, the grapes were perfect. The result was Pinot Noir with excellent phenolic ripeness, naturally low pH and a razor-sharp balance between fruit, acidity and structure.

Vinification – uncompromising craftsmanship

Tolosa works with great precision in both field and cellar. The grapes were gently destemmed and underwent three days of cold maceration to extract color and aromatic intensity. Fermentation took place in open stainless steel tanks at varying temperatures to maintain freshness and build complexity.

After fermentation, the wine was aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 18% of which were new. This gives structure and fine spicy notes without overpowering the pure fruit.

Tasting notes

Nose: Fresh and aromatic with raspberries, sun-ripened cherries and tart cranberries. Underneath the fruit are rose petals, dusty stone, black olives and a hint of toasted barrel.

Flavor: Medium-bodied with silky texture and vibrant red fruit. Notes of cherry, raspberry and red licorice are accompanied by dried leaves and a hint of new leather. The finish is precise, elegant and persistent with great freshness.

The history of the house

Tolosa Winery is located in the heart of Edna Valley, close to the cool influence of the Pacific Ocean. The philosophy is clear: to express the terroir with maximum authenticity and precision. The work in the fields is sustainable and the focus is uncompromisingly on quality over quantity.

Apex Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands is known for its granite and shale soils, cool nights and windswept slopes. It is these conditions that create Pinot Noir with intensity, finesse and natural balance. Tolosa Apex Vineyard Pinot Noir is not just wine – it’s a distillation of landscape, climate and craft.

• Type: Red wine
• Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Contains: Sulfites
• Bottle size: 75 cl
• Alcohol content: 13.5%