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Morgan
Pinot Noir ‘Double L Vineyard’ Santa Lucia Highlands
United States, California, Santa Lucia Highlands
Red
Winery Overview
Organic and sustainable farming paired with minimalist winemaking create wines of balance, structure, and elegance at Morgan Winery.
With more than thirty years’ experience, Dan Lee and the Morgan label have been synonymous with artisan, vineyard-centric wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey. Coming from a small town in California’s Central Valley, Dan Morgan Lee had prepared initially for the study of veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis. It was late in his college career that he discovered enology satisfied his interest in both science and agriculture. Immediately enrolling in the graduate enology program, Dan completed his studies and was hired as winemaker at Jekel Winery in Monterey County.
After serving his apprenticeship at Jekel, Dan moved up the road to Durney Vineyard where he continued to make Monterey wines. While making wine full-time for Durney, Dan aspired to craft his own label. It was at a meeting of the Monterey County Winegrowers Association that he shared his vision with a banker. In addition to becoming his business advisor, that banker would also become Dan's wife.
In 1982, Dan and Donna Lee opened the doors of Morgan Winery. Their very first Monterey Chardonnay earned a Gold Medal at the LA County Fair and a Platinum Medal from Wine & Spirits Magazine. Since then, Morgan has become one of the Central Coast’s most recognized labels, earning “Winery of the Year” honors from Wine & Spirits in 1996 and from the San Francisco Chronicle in 2003. Morgan Winery is now mentioned alongside the pioneering growers and producers who saw the potential of Monterey County long before the world recognized it as one of the top sites for Burgundy varieties in California.
Able to pick and choose fruit sources from around the state, Dan eventually turned more of his attention to the Santa Lucia Highlands and single vineyard releases. Dan and Donna invested in their belief in the Highlands with the purchase of the Double L Vineyard in 1996. The vineyard was developed and named “Double L” (“Double Luck” in honor of the couple’s twin daughters). Now considered one of the best know vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Double L is certified sustainable and organic, and Dan and Donna’s children work at the winery and continue the Morgan Winery legacy.
The 65 acre property of Morgan Winery is on a southeastern facing "bench" of the Santa Lucia mountain range, sloping from 150" to 550' elevation and the vines are 18 years old on average. Prior to purchase in 1996, the ranch was used for cattle grazing and row crop production (sugar beets, dry beans). At the time of purchase, the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA had very recently been established and was relatively unknown. The soils on the ranch were weak, depleted of nutrients; Dan's interest in responsible farming led to the Double L's organic certification in 2001. The vineyard now holds both sustainability and organic certifications
Terroir
The soil is comprised of sandy & shaly loam.
Viticulture
Grapes are estate grown on 28 acres of Morgan Winery's Double L vineyard. The VSP trellised vines are 21 years old on average and maintaned throug sustainable, organic practices. The vineyard sits on a slope ranging from 150-550m in elevation with a Southeast facing exposition. At harvest, grapes are picked by hand, with an average yield of 3 tons/acre.
Vinification
At the winery, the grapes are destemmed and gently pressed to start the fermentation. A mix of 50% selected yeast and 50% ambient yeast is used during fermentation, which lasts 8 days. Throughout this time the wine is maintained in small, open-top tanks with regular punch downs that are performed by hand. Total Sulfite count is 22 mg/L. There is minimal filtration and no fining prior to aging.
Aging
The wine is aged for 10 months in 60 gallon French oak barrels, and an additional 4-10 months in bottle prior to release.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of cherry, black tea, and a hint of toasty oak. The wine is rich but still smooth; the aromas on the palate are supported by flavors of bramble berry and cigar box.
