Thomas Fogarty made one Pinot Noir in 2024, and that changes everything about this wine. Rather than releasing the usual single-vineyard Pinots, Nathan Kandler brought together top fruit from across the estate along with La Vida Bella, Deerheart, and Mindego Ridge, effectively creating one “super cuvée” for the vintage. At $36, it contains a level of vineyard selection normally reserved for much more expensive wines. Fogarty has spent decades learning how to turn mountain structure into elegant Pinot Noir. High-elevation sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains naturally bring density, tension, and minerality, while Kandler’s restrained approach lets those qualities remain intact. The 2024 has real depth, but enough lift and energy to keep everything in motion.  The critics recognized just how much wine ended up in this bottle. Wine Advocate praised its depth, structure, and elegance, while Vinous called it “one of the most undeniable over-performers” in a long time. For $36, this is a remarkable amount of serious Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir.