Nose

Aromas of
violets and dark red fruits.

Palate

A firmly structured velvety palate dense with blackberry,
ripe black cherry, exotic spices, cola and tea.  Finely grained, firm tannins and silky dark fruits
linger on the palate for an expressive and memorable finish.

Growing Conditions

2011 began with a wet winter and spring across Sonoma and Napa
Counties.   Summer was warm, and as harvest approached temperatures rose.    Our pinot
noir ripened fully and evenly, allowing sugars and acid to develop in balance.   The wines
from 2011 are bright, expressive and faceted.  

Harvest

Hand‐harvested grapes

Bottling

Unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2013.

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; 5.8% whole cluster
 Concurrent, voluntary malolactic fermentation in barrels

Aging

Aged 15 months in French oak barrels; 63% new.

Appearance

Dense dark plum in color, this bold pinot noir is both assertive and refined.