2001 Andreen-Gale Cuvée Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
As our debut release of this Pinot Noir, there was a great deal of work that went into the crafting of this blend so that it would express a very special collective vision. That vision being a wine that reflects our rugged and unique terroirs in much the same way that our beloved estate Pinot Noir does, yet with its own distinctive quality and personality.
The color is immediately noticeable as being deep, but not impenetrable, and very youthful in hue. While certain aromas are quite forward, there is a brooding intensity that needs a bit of air to help reveal the complexities that lie within. Aromas of dark fruits, especially cherry, are the most obvious and engaging. Pleasant notes of smoke and toast, from both grape and barrel, nicely complement and never overpower the fruit. The flavors echo the aromas at this point with the addition of an intriguing minerality that is interwoven into the mid-late palate. The texture, while firm with acid at this young age, is broad and spreading with balanced tannins and just enough grip to indicate this wine will only get better over the next 1-2 years.
Harvest
Late August through early October
Vineyards
Blend of selected barrels predominantly (70%) from our estate vineyard blocks here on Camp Meeting Ridge and our new vineyard off of Fort Ross Road, with the balance (30%) coming from five other vineyards in the coolest sub-zones of the Sonoma Coast appellation.
Yeast/ML
Native yeast & malolactic fermentations
Cooperage and Aging
45% new French oak. Total time in barrel: 14 months
Bottling
Bottled unfined and unfiltered in December 2002 and January 2003; 3135 cases produced
Final bottling technical information
- pH: 3.52
- Total Acidity: 0.63 g/100ml
- 14.4% alcohol