CART
Our smallest production wines highlight a particular aspect of our vineyard, whether it be a special block or clone. A wine is produced only when the vintage and fruit quality warrants bottling.
Appellation: Chamisal Vineyard, Edna Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Clone: 114
Oak treatment: 100% new French oak; 18 months
Alcohol: 15.1%
Cases made: 93
Release date: September 2009
Retail price: $100.
Not available online. Please contact tastingroom@chamisalvineyards.com for availability.
$100. Not available online. Please contact tastingroom@chamisalvineyards.com for availability
THE VINEYARD
Chamisal was the first vineyard planted in the Edna Valley in 1973 and now contains 80 acres planted to 5 varieties and 25 clonal selections. The nearby Pacific ocean creates a long temperate growing season for exceptional hang time, which combines with the calcareous, clay-rich soil to produce fruit with exceptional intensity and complex flavors.
VINTAGE
2007 started out so cold, with temperatures as low as 9º F, that our usual bud break was delayed by about two weeks. Spring came on dry and warm, which helped to reduce disease pressure and allowed for strong vine development. The best part was a long, consistent summer that brought on exceptional ripeness without sugars spiking from dehydrated grapes.
WINEMAKING
We vinify this wine in a Burgundian fashion. Our 2007 Monologue was aged in 100% new French oak for 18 months.
CLONAL SELECTION
“Monologue” refers to the fact that this is a single clone of Pinot Noir. Every year we have one special clone that speaks for itself and begs to be bottled separately, so that is what we have done. In 2007 it was Clone 114, but in future years it may be a different clone. The 114 clone is our favorite, and in 2007 we liked it so much that we just couldn’t bring ourselves to blend it with anything else!
TASTING NOTES
The 2007 Monologue represents our first bottling of a single clone Pinot Noir. Clone 114 was the clear choice for this vintage – the wine is complex enough to enjoy on its own without blending with the other clones. The subtly elegant nose is filled with fresh herbs and fennel with underlying hints of strawberry. Wild raspberries and smooth caramel accentuate the structured finish. Decant or cellar until 2020.
