2003 Frances Thompson Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
Gem-like ruby color. Well balanced, harmonious aromas and flavors of black fruit, cassis, cherry, clove and pie spice. Intense and concentrated with fine detailed tannins providing a long, rich, full finish. Decant and enjoy through 2008.
Vineyards
The Frances Thompson Vineyard, located just inside the Flowers Ranch gate and only two miles from the Pacific Ocean, surrounds the old Thompson family homestead (circa 1920). Planted in 1998, this 25 acre vineyard has rocky, well-drained, red soils perfect for growing Pinot Noir. The intense sun at the 1,400 to 1,875 vineyard elevation creates ideal growing conditions for the vines. Cooled by fingers of coastal summer fog, often lasting into late morning, extends the growing season and allows for slow ripening and development of intense flavor, color and character possible by the Pinot Noir grape. A barrel selection of separately fermented Pinot Noir clones, including Swan and Calera, produced a wine that is as unique and wonderful as the vineyard itself.
Harvest
Early September 2003
Winemaking
Fruit was rigorously hand sorted and fully destemmed with no crushing. Moderate cold soaks (4-5 days), warm fermentations (85-90° F), and minimal punch downs (twice a day or less) were done this year in order to adapt to what nature gave us. Total skin contact ranged from 11-18 days with all fermentations being carefully basket pressed and put to barrel on full fermentation lees for ML. Racking was minimal with only one assemblage being done in the spring to allow the blend to "marry" in barrel. Mostly native yeast and ML with only small lots conducted using cultured burgundy isolates.
Cooperage and Aging
40% new barrels; 100% French Oak. Total time in barrel: 16 months
Bottling
January 2005; 446 cases produced.
Final bottling technical information
- pH: 3.55
- TA: 0.61 g/100 mL
- Alcohol: 14.2 %
Release Date:
Fall, 2005