Samuel Louis Smith Santa Lucia Highlands Gamay Noir

Winery Notes: Samuel Louis Smith is a micro-négociant based in Santa Cruz, CA, focused on some of the coolest sites of the Central Coast. Mountainous terroir, organic viticulture, and minimal intervention in the cellar are tenets of the brand.  Over the course of his career, Sam has worked in Santa Barbara (Brander, Tres Hermanas, Margerum), Australia (Mitchelton), the Willamette Valley (Tendril), the Northern Rhône (Villard), and Champagne (Nowack & Sélèque). Until recently, he was head winemaker of Morgan Winery, a pioneer of organic viticulture in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Though it's a young wine from a variety without much recent aging history in California, this Gamay Noir seems built to last awhile in the cellar. Aromas of tart cherry, warm sandalwood, crushed peppercorns and porky game lead from the nose into a lively, bright palate of raspberry, herb and cinnamon. Drink now-2034. - 95 points, Wine Enthusiast (Matt Kettman)