“Gorgeous.” – Vinous

An understatement. Critics agree, too, with a multitude of raving reviews, as 96 points twice proves it. We tasted a whole range from Caraccioli and their second label Private Property (you’ll find our other favorite in the Store). To be frank, it was super hard to choose which wines to introduce this brilliant project to you, dear Operatives.

As Vinous pointed out, “Caraccioli Cellars’ wines are the best they’ve ever been. Chalk that up to a relatively challenge-free growing season, a maturing vineyard, ever-improving winemaking practices and a company-wide dedication to quality at any cost… 2023 is just a stellar vintage for Caraccioli.”

But who is Caraccioli, you may wonder, and how come these wines all blow your mind??! Vinous continues to explain, “Scott Caraccioli oversees his family’s 124-acre estate vineyard, Escolle, selling fruit to several large and small outfits. Caraccioli Cellars is the house label, focused on Old-World-style wines with an emphasis on the estate sparkling program, a function of the influence of the late Michel Salgues, former Head Winemaker for Roederer Estate in Anderson Valley. Salgues developed the property with the Caraccioli family beginning in 2006. His legacy lives on in the quality of these wines.”

Lying between Sleepy Hollow and Rosella’s, the Escolle Vineyard surely sits in a special spot in the breezy Santa Lucia Highlands. Which in itself is a “Burgundy” in California with the benefits of the high elevation and the oceanic corridor. That gives a stark contrast between day and night temperatures.

This wide diurnal shift results in small berries with a much higher-than-average skin-to-juice ratio. That means wines with oomph, balance, and complexity.

Which is exactly why we found this Pinot to be hauntingly good. In a rare fashion, it’s ripe, fruity, savory, earthy, and minerally, all at the same time. Begs one to ask the question: what else could one want from a profoundly tasty Pinot Noir?

Famous father and son winemaking consultants Greg and Chris Vita carry on Salgues’ heritage. They make sure this special vineyard truly shines in the bottle. Per SF Gate, “Greg Vita is a wizard of winemaking. He is asked to consult for more wineries than he can take on, so he looks for winemakers who are willing to try new things, invest in top equipment and listen to his judgment.”

If you had to pile up on the perfect Pinot deal for the holidays and beyond, this is it. The release price of $60 is nowhere near how much wine you’re getting. And with 40% off today, it’s beyond compare.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you. These wines have a staunch following and they rarely last long.

96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “From a mix of clones, the 2023 Pinot Noir Escolle Vineyard is fermented mostly in stainless steel with 15% whole-cluster. Structured tannins wrap around an earthy, medium-bodied core of bay laurel, sage, and chaparral, tasting perfectly of cranberry, elegant and precise, with cohesive acidity to age gracefully for a solid 8-10 years. Drink 2026-2036.”

96 Points – Decanter “From the cooler and wetter 2023 vintage, resulting in a longer growing season that has given this wine such savoury brilliance. From the Escolle estate vineyard, on the northern edge of the SLH appellation. Opening with aromas of ripe strawberries, wild mint leaves, and white pepper, all of which show on the nose. The region’s signature seaspray opens a brilliantly dialed-in palate. Taut, red, wild berries, garrigue with precision and minerality framing this wine’s beautiful red fruits. Drink 2026-2038.”

95 Points – Vinous “The 2023 Pinot Noir is predominantly from one block of Escolle, mostly 777 clone. The textural finesse here sings in absolute harmony. Undeniably elegant, the 2023 spreads across the palate with a caressing texture, turning out a wide array of ripe berries, turned earth, tobacco and spice, with a seemingly endless, super-refined finish. Here, the 35% new oak is seamlessly integrated. Gorgeous. Drink 2025-2035.”