The 2020 Pinot Noir la Encantada Vineyard was mostly destemmed and matured in 40% new French oak. It has a medium ruby color and broody scents of sour cherries, cranberries, mushrooms, tobacco and wafts of woodsmoke, taking its time to open on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied, chalky and very fresh, sporting a deep core of earthy red fruit. 300 cases were made.

Entirely destemmed and matured for 15 months in 30% new French oak, the 2019 Pinot Noir la Encantada Vineyard features blueberry and pomegranate with accents of dried rose petals, autumn leaves and earth. The palate is plush and deeply fruited, with lovely floral and citrusy layers, a silty texture and long, layered finish. 243 cases produced.

Pale ruby in the glass, the 2017 Pinot Noir la Encantada Vineyard is vibrantly scented of allspice, clove and nutmeg curled over Bing cherries, cranberry, rhubarb, black cherries and forest floor plus potpourri hints. Medium-bodied and silky, it fills the mouth with spicy red and black fruits with a lovely underlying floral perfume, gentle tannins to support and great juicy acidity to enliven the long finish.

The 2015 Pinot Noir la Encantada Vineyard reveals a diffuse and already evolving nose of red fruits, savory herbs and underbrush. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and supple but a bit flat, with a saline, high pH feel, missing the crunchy fruit of, for example, the El Jabalí vineyard bottling. This wasn't my favorite Pinot Noir in the Alma Rosa range.

Showing a darker, richer style, the 2012 Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard spent 16 months in 20% new French oak and comes from a vineyard that’s located on the southwestern side of the Sta. Rita Hills. Showing impressive blackberry and black cherry-like fruit that’s intermixed with notions of spring flowers, spice and earth, it has beautiful mid-palate density, a supple layered texture and plenty of length. The overall impression here is relatively forward and ready to go, so drink it over the coming 4-5 years. This was a solid lineup from Alma Rosa, and the wines are made by Richard Sanford. They’re well-worth checking out. Tel. (805) 688-9090; www.almarosawinery.com