Samuel Louis Smith
Samuel Louis Smith is a micro-négociant based in Salinas, CA, focused on some of the coolest sites of the Central Coast. Mountainous terroir, organic viticulture, and minimal intervention in the cellar are tenets of the brand. SLS presents a compelling cross-section of the Central Coast, originally focusing on Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay, Monterey Pinot Noir, and Santa Cruz Mountains cool-climate Syrah. After working under Tony Rynders in the Willamette Valley and Doug Margerum in Santa Barbara, Sam was most recently mentored by François Villard in the Northern Rhône. The brand presents a neoclassical style where light handling, wild fermentations, and stem inclusion in the reds create wines of place and purity, aroma and structure. SLS produces around 700 cases annually. Sam is also head winemaker at Morgan Winery in Santa Lucia Highlands. 2020 Vintage - The 2020 vintage commenced with bud break in mid to late March, after a winter of normal temperatures and rainfall around 30% below average. Most of this rainfall was concentrated in December (promoting healthy root growth), as well as March and April (promoting vigorous early shoot growth). Temperatures through the mid season were average to above average, leading to heat waves in August, September, and October. The biggest challenge was circumventing the looming threat of wildfires, sparked by the first heatwave and lightning showers mid August. While the SLS vintage was quite small due to these issues, the resulting wines are similar in character to those of 2017- the whites lean and pure with medium acid, the reds ripe yet classy2021 Vintage - The growing season commenced with bud break in mid-March after a cold, dry winter. Very windy conditions during flowering led to below-average fruit set. Classically cool Central Coast temperatures continued throughout the growing season, punctuated by brief heat waves that moved ripening along. The SLS harvest began in mid-September with sparkling base from Pelio and concluded abruptly in late October with Tondré syrah, preceding a rain event that delivered a couple inches to select sites. The ‘21 wines are characterized by low alcohol, bright acidity, and structure making for cellar-worthy wine. This is certainly one of the best SLS vintages yet.
Wines from this producer
Commitment to Craft Wine
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