Nose

This pure yet voluptuous pinot noir sets the stage with a nose of
lavender, violets and blueberries.  

Palate

Earthy and brooding, the wine opens slowly with nuances
of black tea, and red and black cherry.   The supple, silky tannins are complemented by
balanced acidity.

Growing Conditions

 2010 began with a wet winter and spring across Sonoma County.  Summer
was cool, though as harvest approached temperatures rose.   Our pinot noir and chardonnay
ripened fully and evenly, allowing sugars and acid to develop in balance.   The wines from
2010 are bright, expressive and elegant.  

Harvest

Hand‐harvested grapes.

Bottling

Unfined and unfiltered; bottled August 2011.

Winemaking

 Fermented in small, open‐top stainless steel fermentors with indigenous yeasts
 5‐day cold soak, 16 days total maceration
 Hand‐punched cap
 Direct to press; 6% whole cluster
 Concurrent, spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels

Aging

Aged 11 months in French oak barrels; 61% new.

Appearance

Dense black plum in color.