2004 Grand Bouquet Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
Crushed wild berry, Queen Anne cherry, and cassis dominate the aroma. Notes of vanilla, tobacco, spice and minerals follow the initial and enticing concentrated flavors of blackberry and plum. Finish is smooth and silky with a lingering mouth feel. A quintessential True Sonoma Coast Pinot. Enjoy now or cellar up to 5 years.
Vineyards
This Sonoma Coast wine is a small blend from our distinctive ridgetop vineyards located on the extreme coastline of our appellation. A barrel selection comprised of clones of the older traditional California selections of Pommard and Mt. Eden complemented by the more recently available Dijon 777 and Wadensvil 2A.
Harvest
Early September 2004
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; 40% new. Total time in barrel = 15 months.
Bottling
January 2006; 265 cases produced.
Final bottling technical information
- pH: 3.59
- TA: .59 g/100 ml
- Alcohol: 13.9%
Release Date
Spring 2006