Ceritas Mindego Ridge Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA 2023

Ceritas is a small, highly regarded California winery founded in 2005 by winemaker John Raytek and his wife Phoebe Bass, focused on producing terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from cool coastal sites like the Sonoma Coast and Santa Cruz Mountains. The philosophy is deeply rooted in minimal intervention and organic/biodynamic farming, with native fermentations and restrained oak to let each vineyard speak clearly. Known for their precision, minerality, and “Burgundian” sensibility, Ceritas wines are produced in tiny quantities and have become a cult favorite among sommeliers and collectors seeking purity, tension, and site expression.

" Coming from Santa Crus Mountains, the 2023 Pinot Noir Mindego Ridge is a bright transparent red color and is vibrant, spicy, and true to this vintage. It smells like Braulio, with crazy cool aromatics of Amaro fresh herbs, orange peel, fresh spices, compact red berries, and cranberries. The palate is fantastically fresh and pure, floating on the palate with refined, well-defined tannins and an even feel with a floating finish. It’s incredibly complex and haunting. Drink this over the coming 15 or more years." Jeb Dunnuck 96