Scotto Cellars, Grace Bridge Pinot Noir, 2019
Scotto Cellars, Grace Bridge Pinot Noir, 2019
- Red Still
- 75CL
- 13.5%
- Pinot Noir
Couldn't load pickup availability
A bright, expressive Pinot Noir with vibrant red cherry, raspberry, and subtle hints of forest floor. On the palate, it shows silky tannins, gentle spice, and a fresh, lifted acidity that carries the fruit beautifully through a long, elegant finish. Layered yet approachable, it’s a Pinot that balances charm and depth effortlessly.
Scotto Cellars is a small, family-run winery in California, dedicated to crafting wines that reflect the character of their vineyards. Grace Bridge is their flagship Pinot Noir, sourced from carefully selected sites, and embodies the producer’s commitment to precision, balance, and a sense of place in every bottle.
The 2019 Grace Bridge Pinot Noir is approaching its drinking window and will show best over the next 6 years. The primary red fruit character will gradually integrate with the subtle earthy undertones, developing more complex secondary aromatics of dried herbs and forest floor. By 2028-2030, the wine will reach full maturity with seamless integration of fruit, spice, and earth, after which it may begin to show signs of fading fruit intensity while gaining further tertiary complexity.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceMedium ruby with bright clarity and youthful vibrancy.
NoseExpressive red cherry and fresh raspberry dominate the aromatic profile. Subtle forest floor undertones add earthiness without overwhelming the bright fruit character. The nose shows good intensity with clean, varietal expression.
PalateSilky tannins provide structure without weight, supporting the vibrant red fruit core. Gentle spice adds complexity while maintaining the wine's approachable character. Lifted acidity carries the fruit beautifully, creating balance and freshness throughout.
FinishLong and elegant with persistent red fruit and a clean, refreshing conclusion.
Overall impressionA well-crafted Pinot Noir that successfully balances charm with depth, showing both immediate appeal and subtle complexity.
Food Pairings
California's wine country cuisine emphasises farm-to-table freshness and local ingredients, making this style of Pinot Noir ideal with grilled Pacific salmon, Dungeness crab, or roasted Sonoma duck. The state's Mediterranean climate influences favour dishes with fresh herbs, seasonal vegetables, and lighter preparations that complement rather than compete with the wine's elegance. Local chefs often pair similar wines with wild mushroom risottos, herb-crusted lamb, or artisanal cheese boards featuring Point Reyes blue and aged Humboldt Fog.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 14-16°C to preserve the wine's bright fruit character and silky texture. No decanting is necessary given the wine's approachable tannin structure, though opening 30 minutes before serving allows the aromatics to fully develop. Use Burgundy glasses to concentrate the delicate aromatics while providing sufficient bowl space for proper aeration.
The Grace Bridge Pinot Noir sources fruit from carefully selected California vineyard sites chosen for their ability to produce elegant, balanced wine. California's diverse microclimates and varied soils provide the foundation for this wine's characteristic brightness and depth. The specific terroir influences contribute to the wine's fresh acidity and silky tannin structure, allowing the pure fruit expression to shine while maintaining varietal typicity.
California's diverse wine regions produce Pinot Noir across a range of styles, from the cool-climate elegance of Sonoma Coast to the richer expressions of Central Coast appellations. The state's varied terroir allows producers flexibility in sourcing fruit from multiple sites to achieve their desired style profile. This approach often results in wines that balance immediate approachability with enough structure for short to medium-term cellaring, representing California's modern winemaking philosophy of precision and balance.
The 2019 growing season in California began with abundant winter rainfall that replenished water reserves after previous dry years, setting vineyards up for healthy canopy development. Spring brought mild, steady conditions that encouraged even budbreak and flowering across most regions. The defining moment came in late October when powerful winds and widespread power shutoffs created havoc during what should have been the final weeks of harvest. Many producers were forced to pick earlier than planned, particularly in Sonoma and Napa, where fire risk and utility blackouts compressed the harvest window dramatically.
Despite the challenging finish, 2019 produced wines of genuine quality across California's key regions. Cabernet Sauvignon shows excellent concentration with ripe tannins, whilst Pinot Noir from cooler sites displays attractive fruit purity and structure. Chardonnay performed particularly well, combining richness with natural acidity. The vintage sits comfortably in the very good category rather than exceptional, with most wines drinking beautifully now through the mid-2020s. Premium Cabernet Sauvignon will reward cellaring for another five to eight years, though early accessibility remains a hallmark of this approachable vintage.
FAQs
What makes Grace Bridge Pinot Noir different from other California examples?
Grace Bridge emphasises elegance and balance over power, sourcing from carefully selected vineyard sites to achieve a more restrained, food-friendly style. The wine shows bright acidity and silky tannins rather than the riper, more extracted character found in some California Pinot Noirs.
How long will this 2019 vintage keep?
This wine is drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop until around 2032. Store in a cool, dark place at consistent temperature. The wine's structure suggests it will maintain its fruit character for several more years while developing additional complexity.
What food pairings work best with this style?
The wine's bright acidity and silky texture make it excellent with salmon, duck, mushroom dishes, and soft cheeses. Avoid overly spiced or heavy dishes that might overwhelm its elegant character. Think roasted poultry, grilled fish, or mushroom risotto.
Is this wine ready to drink now or should I cellar it?
The 2019 is drinking excellently now and doesn't require further cellaring, though it will continue to develop complexity over the next few years. Its approachable style makes it perfect for current consumption, with the option to hold bottles for gradual evolution.
How does this compare to Oregon or Burgundian Pinot Noir?
Grace Bridge shows California's characteristic fruit brightness with more restraint than many regional examples. It lacks the earthiness of Burgundy or the distinctive terroir markers of Oregon, instead offering clean varietal expression with gentle spice and accessible charm.
What serving temperature brings out the best in this wine?
Serve at 14-16°C, slightly cooler than room temperature but warmer than standard refrigeration. This temperature preserves the wine's fresh fruit character while allowing the subtle spice and earthy elements to emerge. Too cold and you'll mute the aromatics; too warm and you'll lose the elegant structure.
-
Free UK Delivery
Learn about deliveryGet free UK delivery when you spend £75 or more on duty paid wine
-
Save 30% on a host of quality wines
Our fine wines are sourced from our sister retailers, but offered at a substantial discount to their previous selling prices.