Nose
As exuberant a pinot noir as you will find from the Russian River Valley, this release from
Ulises Valdez's Laguna Road vineyard is seductive with aromas of wild blackberry,
pomegranate and clove.
Palate
Velvet‐textured and complex, the palate explodes with black cherry
and kirsch, revealing subtler undertones of cola, earth and cedar as it opens in the mouth.
Well‐integrated oak weaves firm tannins with spice for a lasting 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.
Harvest
Hand‐harvested grapes.
Bottling
Unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2010.
Winemaking
Fermented in small, open‐top stainless steel fermentors with indigenous yeasts
5 day cold soak, 16 days total maceration
Hand‐punched cap
Concurrent, spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels
Aging
Aged 15 months in French oak barrels; 67% new.