Antica Terra Ceras 2012
Antica Terra Ceras 2012
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Antica Terra Ceras 2012

Antica Terra
$320.00

Grape: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2012
Type: Red

This estate Pinot Noir comes from the Antica Terra vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, a site defined by pre-fractured sandstone and volcanic wash. Winemaker Maggie Harrison isolates these barrels during a rigorous cellar audit, selecting components that emphasize a chiseled, mineral-driven line over broad fruit weight. The fruit ferments with indigenous wild yeasts and a high percentage of whole clusters to build a firm structure. It matures for over a year in neutral French oak barrels.

It pours a translucent ruby color with light garnet reflections, opening with aromas of tart red currant, blood orange, and iron. On the palate, the medium-bodied frame is tightly coiled, showcasing a fine-grained, chalky tannin profile that has softened with age. Savory flavors of cranberry and red plum blend with secondary notes of cedar, leather, and dried flowers. A vibrant thread of mountain acidity keeps the aged profile fresh and.

Maggie Harrison is a first-generation winemaker, having grown up in the Midwest. With an educational background in International Relations and Conflict Resolution, she fell in love with wine while working in restaurants and set out to follow that passion and create wine. She went on to land the position of assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, where she remained for eight years. She is currently the co-owner and winemaker for Antica Terra, producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay since 2005, and is also responsible for the Syrah at Lillian Winery in Santa Barbara. Initially, it had been her goal to only produce a singular wine, but during blind tastings for blending, she felt the various components would not necessarily complement one another and would overpower or detract from the other. Rather than force them to homogenize, each of the wines bottled today chases the individual and opposing personalities each possesses. Her wines are impeccably expressive and worth seeking out if you can get your hands on them.

I have always found with these wines that I am never compelled to overly coax the wine in tasting. They are distinctive, singular wines that, when given the time to allow the wine to come to you, make the transcendence to art.

- Audrey Frick (9/17/2023) © 2024 Jeb Dunnuck