Nose
It exhibits an
exotic nose of stone fruit and spice accented with tropical notes of guava and passion fruit.
Palate
A firmly structured, steely palate provides the backbone around which layers of fresh apple,
Asian pear and toasted brioche wrap themselves seamlessly. Notes of custard persist,
accented with ginger and clean slate over a memorable finish.
Growing Conditions
: 2008 began with an exceptionally dry spring and early budbreak. Frosts in
April significantly lowered cluster counts. Weather stabilized and warmed through summer,
with warmer temperatures continuing through harvest. A smaller crop of high quality fruit
was able to ripen fully and evenly, developing an excellent balance of sugars and acid.
Overall, the 2008 wines are bright and expressive with well‐articulated flavors.
Clonal Selections: Wente, See
Harvest
Hand‐harvested grapes.
Bottling
Unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2010
Winemaking
Whole cluster, direct to press, cold
Barrel‐fermented with indigenous yeasts; 4 months to completion
Concurrent spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels
Aging
Aged 12 months in French oak barrels; 65% new; Aged sur lies; biweekly bâtonnage.
Appearance
Pale yellow with a touch of green.