2016 Pinot Noir

High Elevation Artisanal.
Appellation: Anderson Valley Ridge top
County: Mendocino
Wine Maker: Dean Carrell
Tons/Acre: 1.5
Release Date: August 2018
P.H.: 3.5 T.A.: 6.3 Alc: 15%
Production: 100 Cases
Retail: $59

Wine Makers Notes: Pinot Noir is notable for its delicacy and exceptional perfume. This wine gives off a potpourri of aromas of ripe fruit, spices, and exhibits a nuance true to its origin (terroir). The flavors run deep, the alcohol adds richness and texture without being obtrusive. The full maturity of fruit and balance of acidity and tannins are integrated with such balance that nothing is missing, nothing extraneous.

Pinot Noir-ish Traits: suppleness, silkiness and a deep almost blackish garnet, that delivers rich intense scents of blackberries and blueberries along with hints of violets and distinct minerality, thanks to our Gold Ridge loam soil, (“There’s gold in them thar hills”).

Length And Finish: Its freshness, its vibrancy, and incisive, delineated flavors persist long after swallowed and linger well beyond that.

Oak Barrel Notes: Oak and wine support each other in a way that truly brings out the best that both can offer. Barrels have been used throughout the ages. They contribute the tannins and flavor compounds we are looking for in our wines. These tannins have the desirable ability of bonding molecularly with the color pigments of the wine, thereby preventing them from oxidizing. The wine emerges both darker and brighter. When toasted the positive aromatic compounds are boosted, including vanilla, clove and especially coconut. In addition, a class of compounds comprised of several sugars (hemicellulosey) add carmelized products which have a sweet, toasty quality and help contribute to the body of the wine. Our 2016 Pinot Noir was aged for 21 months on the lees (sur-lie) in 100% new, Burgundy French Oak barrels.