Monterey County · 100% Pinot Noir
Samuel Louis Smith Pinot Noir Michaud Vineyard Chalone
High-elevation Chalone Pinot Noir from calcareous soils, built for structure and age.
Founded by Samuel Louis Smith, the winery focuses on organically farmed, cool-climate vineyards across California's Central Coast, producing wines that emphasize transparency over power. Native fermentations, restrained alcohol, moderate oak, and minimal intervention define the house style.
The 2023 Michaud Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from a remarkable site planted by Michael Michaud in 1995 after his years as head winemaker at Chalone Vineyard. Sitting at approximately 1,550 feet in the Chalone AVA, the vineyard is rooted in decomposed granite with scattered limestone, creating naturally low yields and wines of striking mineral character. Fermented with 50% whole clusters, aged for 11 months in French oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, the wine remains a pure expression of this singular mountain vineyard.
The bouquet reveals cranberry, wild cherry, dried rose, cedar, pine duff, scorched earth, and graphite, while the palate is lifted by bright acidity, chalky tannins, and a long, savory finish marked by granite-driven minerality. The combination of elegance, tension, and site specificity makes it one of the most compelling modern expressions of Chalone Pinot Noir.
Pairs with
“"Very young... cranberry aromas layered with cedar, pine duff and dried mushroom... cherry, red currant and cranberry flavors cut by graphite and sandalwood."”
Monterey County
- Producer
- Samuel Louis Smith (Samuel Louis Smith, winemaker)
- Region
- Monterey County
- Varietal
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Vintage
- 2023
- Alcohol
- 12.7%
- Size
- 750ml
- Closure
- Natural cork
Shipping
Complimentary case shipping on full cases (12 bottles). 6-bottle orders ship from $25. All other
quantities calculated at checkout. Every order ships in temperature-controlled packaging.
Delivery
Orders are processed within 1-2 business days. You choose your preferred delivery date at checkout.
We do not ship to states where prohibited by law.
