Nose
fragrant ripe black cherry and red raspberry aromas with pleasing hints of dried rose petal and tea-leaf spice.
Palate
Rich and mouth-filling on the palate, with supple tannins, its deep core of wild cherry, raspberry, plum and pomegranate flavors lead to a long, fruit-filled finish graced by vibrant cherry and berry tones, a touch of zesty spice and a vein of refreshing minerality
Growing Conditions
2015 was the latest in a string of excellent vintages in Anderson Valley. Mild winter and early spring weather fostered early budbreak, flowering and grape set. Ongoing drought conditions, coupled with a warm growing season and a notably light crop, led to an early harvest of small-berried grapes boasting intense varietal flavors.
Winemaking
Our 2015 Annahala Vineyard Pinot Noir is a blend of four top-quality French Dijon clones of the variety (114, 667, 777 and 828). While each clone contributed a singular matrix of color, texture, aromas and flavors, blending them produced a beautifully perfumed pinot noir with deep, intense varietal flavors. Each clonal lot was handled gently and cold-soaked for several days prior to fermentation to extract early color and flavor. In 2015, we fermented 14% of the juice with stems – a traditional Burgundian practice – which enhanced the wine’s structure and added a pleasing spice tone. Fermenting in small tanks with gentle daily punchdowns of the skins extracted optimal color, flavor and tannin, while early blending of the lots after three months in French Burgundian oak barrels, 39% new, ensured full integration of flavors. The blended wine spent another seven months in barrel prior to bottling on July 11, 2016.
Aging
10 months in French oak barrels, 39% new
