Brothers Aaron & Jesse Inman once again bring their best of blend philosophy to the bedrock of Pinot Noir. The 2018 Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir, a blend of 42% Monterey, 39% San Benito, and 19% Sonoma Counties, seduces with its dark and red fruit aromas, accented with baking spice and herbal notes. Well balanced, with a rich fruity core, this silky, textured wine floats on the palate, a delicious, juicy, easy-drinking Pinot that is good value for the price point (SRP $22). Aged for 9 months in 60 gallon French oak barrels, of which only 10% were new, this wine reflects a light, integrated touch of oak. Even though it comes in at 14% ABV, it’s medium bodied with a balance of acid and fruit. The county vineyards, for those in the know, are listed as: White Sage and Grava Ranch Vineyards in Monterey, Vista Verde Vineyard in San Benito, and Morelli Lane Vineyard in Sonoma. According to the Inman brothers, “Each vineyard is chosen for some specific quality of its grapes—a certain flavor, some pop of acid, a select smell”, bolstering their winemaking philosophy, “that the sum of vineyards blended together can be greater than the parts alone”. This is their signature Lucky Rock style, “great wine at a great price”, an affordable pleasure.
Lucky Rock Wine Co. was founded in 2013 by the Inman brothers, whose love of wine inspired them to make wines that can be enjoyed everyday. Prospecting for their own niche among California wines, these sons of gold miners have taken their “enjoying wine” sensibilities and translated them into two inaugural wines, the Lucky Rock County Cuvée Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The label alludes to their heritage and love of tattoo art, the Lucky Rock name is based on one of the goldmines that the brothers grew up on, the snake, a classic tattoo image that represents risk taking and transformation, and the pickaxe, a tool for gold mining and a synonym for hard work through adversity. Wines that pair with the joy of life is their motto, more precisely “made with intention, not pretension”, easy drinking wines that reflect balance and California essence in the glass.