Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas vs Halleck Vineyard Haas Pinot Noir (Wine Review)

We’re in Sonoma wine tasting and reviewing the Belle Glos Las Alturas 2019 and our own Halleck Vineyard Haas Vineyard 2018. 

These are two of the best California Pinot Noir wines. And these two have totally different profiles. Belle Glos is big and bold, with blackberry candy, while Halleck Vineyard Haas Vineyard is lighter with a lower alcohol content and hints of cherry, mace and cinnamon.

California is known throughout the world for its excellent Pinot Noirs. The region’s sandy soil, temperate coastal climate and sunny days work together to provide the type of terroir that this finicky grape varietal loves. 

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Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas Wine Tasting Notes

Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas 2019 is an atypically dark wine for a Pinot Noir. It’s almost opaque with a deep, rich purple color. It has a higher alcohol content than most other Pinot Noirs, at 14.8%. Most Pinot Noirs fall in the range of 12 to 13.5% alcohol.                                                                                   

This wine has a “big nose” and seems to jump right out of the glass, with notes of blackberry candy, cocoa and coffee. 

The taste is smooth and delivers on the promise of blackberry candy. This is a fruity, rich wine with a low acidity. Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir would make a perfect cocktail wine, because, despite its dark color, it is lighter on the palate and doesn’t need food to bring out its full flavor. Overall, this wine represents a good value for a big, bold Pinot Noir.

The Las Alturas Vineyard of the Santa Lucia Highlands consists of around 170 acres in Monterey County, 100 of which are planted with Pinot Noir. The area is notable for its cool, yet sunny days and its rich, sandy loam soil.

Stats 

• Vintage: 2019
• AVA: Santa Lucia Highlands, California
• Belle Glos Pinot Noir Alcohol Content: 14.8%
• Retail Price: $47.00
• Restaurant Price: approximately $100.00
• Pairings: The Belle Glos Pinot would pair splendidly with a rich beef stew or a platter of manchego cheese and quince.
• Buy Belle Glos Pinot Noir

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Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs from Sonoma

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Halleck Vineyard Pinot Noir Haas Vineyard Wine Tasting Notes

Halleck Vineyard Pinot Noir Haas Vineyard 2018 couldn’t be more different from the Belle Glos Pinot Noir. The Haas Pinot is light and translucent in color, with more of a classic light red/purple hue. 

The taste boasts red currant and cherry notes with hints of mace, cinnamon and oregano. The taste is a complex mixture of “earth and fruit.” 

The finish contains the herbaceous and spicy promise of the aroma. In contrast to the Belle Glos, this Pinot is a good pairing wine and begs to be consumed with food, not alone or with just appetizers. Overall, the Halleck 2018 Haas Vineyard represents a good value for a classic Pinot Noir.

Haas Vineyard is a small, two-acre plot of land at the base of the eastern side of Sonoma Mountain, near Glen Ellen, California. The story behind how fruit from Haas Vineyard was sourced for a Halleck Vineyard Pinot Noir involved, of all people, Josh Groban, who Halleck Vineyard created a special Find Your Light Josh Groban Pinot Noir to benefit art education programs in public schools.

Stats

• Vintage: 2018
• AVA: Sonoma Mountain, California
• Halleck Vineyard 2018 Haas Vineyard Pinot Noir Alcohol Content: 13.1%
• Retail Price: $60.00
• Restaurant Price: approximately $130.00
• Pairings: The Halleck Vineyard 2018 Haas Vineyard Pinot would pair splendidly with grilled sausages.
• Buy Halleck Vineyard Haas Pinot Noir 2018

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Wine Review (Video)

Final Word

If you’re looking for a big, bold, fruity Pinot Noir, the Belle Glos Las Alturas is a wise selection. But if you’re searching for a more complex, earthy Pinot, our Haas Vineyard Pinot Noir is an excellent choice. We invite you to join us for a Pinot Noir wine tasting in Sebastopol at our estate.