Clark & Telephone + Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noirs // 750 ml Each

Belle Glos showcases distinctive Pinot Noirs produced from California's most noteworthy coastal wine-growing regions. Owner and winemaker Joe Wagner chose the name to honor his grandmother, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner. She was a co-founder of Caymus Vineyards, an inspirational figure to Joseph, and a lover of Pinot Noir.

For five generations, the Wagner family has lived and loved the Napa Valley. Working the land with their own hands has given them insights into California winemaking that can’t be found in any book or corporate farm manual. While each Belle Glos vineyard location is located near the Pacific Ocean, the climate varies significantly in the amount of fog, wind, sunlight, and soil type at each site. This allows each vineyard to craft the purest essence of California Pinot Noir possible.

Clark & Telephone is one of three Belle Glos single-vineyard labels. This vineyard is located near the intersection of two lonely roads in the Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County), hence the name ”Clark and Telephone”. This maritime site yields loose clusters with small, intensely-flavored berries. Through heavy pruning and crop-thinning techniques, Belle Glos was able to bring the composition of these grapes into balance at harvest while preserving the spice-box notes, elegant texture, and rich fruit core that are the hallmarks of the site.

Deep ruby red in color with scarlet highlights, Clark & Telephone opens with bountiful aromas of red fruits of cranberry and raspberry jam, laced with clove, cedar, and holiday baking spices. Bold and complex flavors of crushed ripe cherry, cranberry, and blueberry pie linger on the palate. The texture is rich and lively, and leads into a warm and structured finish.

Las Alturas hails from a vineyard located in one of the highest-plantable sites in the southern portion of the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County (als known as the "Mission District"). This pristine bench offers the vineyard cool, coastal days with warmer afternoon temperatures and tamer winds than the northern portion of the appellation. The combination of this climate with site-specific farming consistently produces pinot noirs of great texture, depth, and balance.

Deep garnet in color with an aromatic medley of black cherry, marionberry, ripe plum, and a hint of anise. Dark fruit on the palate with flavors of wild berries, caramelized oak, and cacao nibs complemented by subtle notes of vanilla, cedar, and a hint of lavender and forest floor. Rich and unrestrained, this wine’s abundant fruit is beautifully balanced by firm acidity and layers of red and black fruit.