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.