Appellation: Chamisal, Edna Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Clone: 115, 2A
Oak treatment: None. Fermented in stainless steel tanks; no malolactic fermentation
Alcohol: 14.7%
Cases made: 250
Release date: May 2011
Retail price: $24
SOLD OUT
$24 SOLD OUT
VINTAGE
2010 will go down as one of the coolest years in Californian history. A very cold spring with significant frost events pushed bud break back 10-14 days behind normal. Due to cool La Nina ocean temperatures, the summer was much cooler than average with the June coastal fog persisted into July and August. An extended heat wave in the last week of September gave us record breaking heat, with temperatures exceeding 110F for four days, allowing ripening to catch up somewhat. Ripeness levels ended up right where we want them for the Stainless Pinot Noir.
WINEMAKINGÂ Â Â
After picking in the cool of the night, the grapes were
destemmed and gravity fed into small open top fermenters. Fermented at cool
temperatures using special cultured yeasts to accentuate fresh, unadulterated fruit characteristics. After a short fermentation to prevent over-extraction of tannin, the wines were pressed to stainless tanks where they remained until bottling.
TASTING NOTES
The challenge is to make a serious Pinot without the influence of oak or malolactic fermentation. The result is bursting with aromas of raspberry, cranberry and red cherry with a fruit driven palate revealing more intense red berry-fruit, citrus and floral hints. A wine to enjoy young and celebrate its youthful exuberance.
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