2003 Perennial
Tasting Notes
Initial fruit aromas of black currant, blood orange and plum are at the core of this wine. Hints of sandalwood, leather and dried herbs emphasize the complexity that the 2003 Perennial has to offer. Flavors of caramel and plum are punctuated by tannins and a crisp acidity. It finishes long rich on the palate. Delicious now.
Vineyards
Sourced from 100% Sonoma County fruit with appellations including Sonoma Mountain, Russian River, Green Valley, Sonoma Coast, and select lots from our estate here on Camp Meeting Ridge.
Blend
- 65% Pinot Noir
- 24% Pinot Meunier
- 10% Syrah
- 1% Chardonnay
Harvest
Early September through early October 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 for a few months before bottling. Mostly native yeast and ML with only small lots conducted using cultured burgundy isolates.
Cooperage and Aging
100% French oak; 35% new. Time in barrel = 12 months.
Bottling
November 2004; 1045 cases produced.
Final bottling technical information
- pH: 3.55
- TA: 0.60 g/100 ml
- Alcohol: 14.2%
Release Date
Spring 2005