2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
download PDFTasting Notes
Fresh fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry, and plum are followed by hints of violet, spice, mineral, and pepper. This wine offers crisp acidity upon entry unfolding with juicy flavors of strawberry, raspberry and black fruits and leather. Tannins are supple creating a lingering finish with cola and smokiness. Enjoy now or cellar up to 4 years.
Vineyards
This wine is a blend of our Sonoma Coast vineyards. Each year our newly planted Flowers Ranch contributes an increasing proportion of estate fruit.
- 85% from our Estate Vineyards
- 15% from vineyards under contract, farmed to our specifications.
The full spectrum of Pinot Noir clones is represented in this wine. Older traditional California heirloom selections such as Martini, 2A, and Pommard are complemented by the more recently available Dijon clones (115, 828, 667, 777), as well as low vigor selections from the Swan and Calera vineyards.
Harvest
Mid September 2006
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 = 11 months.
Bottling
August 2007
Final bottling technical information
- pH: 3.52
- TA: 0.581 g/100 ml
- Alcohol: 13.8%
Release Date
Fall 2007