Recommended by the New York Times, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, and Many More. Check out our recent press.

Award-winning SF wine shop – free local delivery & fast nationwide shipping. Learn more

David Bruce Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir Library Reserve 1988

$8999
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles
This is a chance to taste California Pinot Noir from the years when it was still finding its feet: a 1988 from one of the wineries that put the Santa Cruz Mountains back on the map. David Bruce was a young dermatologist when he finished his medical residency and bought land above the fog line in these mountains. The winery dates to 1964, and it was among the first of a new generation reviving premium winemaking in the region. Bruce was an early user of whole-berry fermentation for red wines and one of the first California winemakers to import French oak barrels. Both choices look standard now, but they weren't then. The house has stayed devoted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay ever since. This bottling carries the producer's own "Library Reserve" name. At more than three decades old, it's for the curious drinker who wants to see how early Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot has aged. Open it with some patience and a sense of occasion.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

View our complete return policy →

Have Questions?

Our team is here to help.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 11am - 8pm

Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

CLOSED SUNDAYS

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (415) 780-1405


Add your content here

More about David Bruce

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Pinot Noir

  • Vintage

    1988

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Sustainable

  • Style

    Fruity , Rich

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Roast duck breast with cherry jus, wild mushroom risotto, coq au vin, roast quail with thyme, or a simple roast chicken with morels.

Tasting Profile

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir typically pairs red cherry and raspberry fruit with earthy, forest-floor and spice notes, medium body, fine tannins and the bright acidity of cool mountain sites. With long bottle age, expect the fruit to have softened toward dried cherry, mushroom and leather, finishing dry and savoury. Think mature red Burgundy rather than plush modern California.