2003 "Moon Select" Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
Brilliant garnet color. Rich and elegant with aromas & flavors of plum, blackberry and cassis with hints of flint, mineral, orange peel and fennel. Delicate tannins provide a velvety finish. Enjoy through 2007.
Vineyards
This wine is barrel selection from the Camp Meeting Ridge Vineyard and our now mature Frances Thompson and Sea View Ridge Vineyard. The clone selection includes a majority of the 2A, Pommard, Swan, Calera, and Dijon 777. The soils are uplifted marine sedimentary sandstone and volcanic rock at an elevation of 1200-1800 feet above sea level.
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 punchdowns (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
February 2005; 292 cases produced.
Final bottling technical information
- pH: 3.56
- TA: 0.60 g/100 mL
- Alcohol: 14.2 %
Release Date:
Fall, 2005