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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
This is the second year of "significant" production from our young estate vineyard as the blocks planted in 1998 come into production. Prior to 2000, we yielded a mere barrel per year of Estate Reserve Pinot Noir (from the original 1994 planting). The second vintage (1998) met with considerable critical acclaim, and was included on the Wine Spectator's list of the best domestic Pinot Noirs of all time. This 2001 version is a barrel selection from the best lots from what we believe to be the best sections of the vineyard. The wine was debuted to rave reviews at the Int'l Pinot Noir Celebration this summer, and is probably the most approachable version of this well structured wine that we've crafted so far. This is truly the "dark side" of Pinot Noir, with black currant, wild black cherry, and black plum flavors and aromas, accented by spice, licorice, and mocha. It is the biggest, boldest, most intense Pinot Noir in our line-up, and although it is very enjoyable now, we recommend holding it for at least another year or two.
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Varietal Definition
Pinot Noir:
The name is derived from the French words for ‘pine’ and ‘black’ alluding to the varietals' tightly clustered dark purple pine cone shaped bunches of fruit. Pinot Noir grapes are grown around the world, mostly in the cooler regions, but the grape is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France. It is widely considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world, but is a difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine. By volume most Pinot Noir in America is grown in California with Oregon coming in second. Other regions are Washington State and New York.During 2004 and the beginning of 2005, Pinot Noir became considerably more popular amongst consumers in the United States, possibly because of the movie Sideways. Being lighter in style, it has benefited from a trend toward more restrained, less alcoholic wines. It is the delicate, subtle, complex and elegant nature of this wine that encourages growers and winemakers to cultivate this difficult grape. Robert Parker has described Pinot Noir: "When it's great, Pinot Noir produces the most complex, hedonistic, and remarkably thrilling red wine in the world."
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