Nose

The 2005 Reserve has aromas of wild raspberry, Bing cherry and caramelized orange that evolve with toasted hazelnut and crème brulee.

Palate

The palate is layered with flavors of raspberry, guava, pineapple, cocoa and sweet spice. Crisp on entry, with a slight minerality, the texture is smooth and velvety. The wine has a balanced acidity and long finish that lingers on the palate.

Growing Conditions

A wet March provided a great groundwater supply and set up flowering to take place in the latter part of May. A mild, temperate summer followed, allowing for gradual sugar accumulation and slow, even ripening. Delicious flavor development and high acid retention are trademarks of this sparkling-wine season.

County Composition: 41% Mendocino, 26% Sonoma, 17% Marin, 16% Napa

Winemaking

Though primarily Pinot Noir, small amounts of select Chardonnay lots are included in the blend to lend additional backbone and length to the palate. Distinct barrel and malolactic-fermentation lots are layered in to provide viscosity and depth.

Barrel Fermentation: 40%

Principal Pinot Noir Blocks:
Mendocino County: Monument Tree, Standish
Sonoma County: Saltonstall, Jonive
Marin County: Stevens, Corda

Aging

Each bottle is aged in contact with its own yeast in our historic Diamond Mountain hillside caves for 6 years, 9 months; this adds a caramelized richness to the wine. The yeast is then removed and a finishing dosage — determined through comprehensive trials — is added to fine-tune the balance of flavor and acidity.