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2005 Estate Pinot Noir
We taste all of our barrels of wine many times throughout the year. We experience the evolution of flavors and aromas and remember the significant events in our vineyard. The excitement of an early bloom, the mystery of a very light fruit set, the discovery of color change at veraison and the rapture of harvest. Tasting each barrel of wine provides us a snapshot in time. We experience the wine’s development. Every vineyard block and clone/rootstock combination showcases something unique and special from the vineyard. After fermentation is complete, the wine is placed into a selection of barrels to mature. We source French oak barrels from several coopers. The wine takes a different path to maturity in each barrel, developing its own nuances. It is usually during the spring when Pinot Noir in barrel begins to reveal the character of the vintage. Much like experiencing the lavender lilac bloom – you notice the color, then the hint of sweetness in the air and as time passes you are witness to the entire bloom – a testament to the season. The barrels selected for “Estate” were identified early in the spring of 2006. The clones were our favorites – 115 from block 8 (Dena) and 114 from block 11 (Ernie). We also borrowed the Pommard clone from Amalie’s Cuvée to round out the blend. We continued to experience this wine’s evolution and believe in the promise of the vintage. Yield: 1.81 tons per acre providing 0.90 bottles per vine. Tasting Notes: The 2005 growing season was a welcome relief from the recent warmer vintages and was a return to cool climate viticulture. The resulting wines show beautifully developed aromatics, lush red fruits and trenchant acidity. Look for great aging potential in these wines. “Estate” shows richness and power from the vintage and is the complement to Amalie’s Cuvée. A rich red hue leads you to aromas of bittersweet baking cocoa, dried cherries, vanillin, Five spice and underbrush. On the palate the flavors are sweet dark fruit and dried black cherries around a core of earthiness and baking spice. The finish shows well integrated and finely grained tannins. well balanced acidity provides sound structure. Pairings for “Estate” Pinot Noir are braised lamb shanks with Morell mushrooms, roast Pekin duck breast with bitter greens, and 6 month aged Manchego cheese. Unfined and unfiltered. Production: 40 cases produced. Pommard (67%), Dijon Clone 114 (20%) and Dijon Clone 115 (13%). Extended barrel aging for 18 months in 100% French oak, 50% new. Accolades: Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June 2008 Bright medium red. Black raspberry, kirsch and Indian spices on the nose, with a subtle floral undertone gaining strength with air. Red and dark berry flavors offer medium body and good depth and sweetness, with the suave, velvety finish displaying sneaky mineral lift, a strong blackberry quality and no obvious tannins. 90 points.
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