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2002 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

Vintage

Vintage 2002 started wet, even before the calendar said it was 2002 - we almost had our seasonal average of rain before the New Year - with January and February being unusually dry and typically cold. We had light rain at the end of March that slowed down budbreak but without causing any major problems. Unsettled weather through spring kept things interesting. More cool weather in May extended bloom, which could have caused uneven ripening. At the end of May we were about two weeks behind 2001. Veraison began in late July, later than average, but earlier than 1998 and 1999. Moving into the final stages of the growing season we were in pretty good shape considering that our summer had been fairly mild. 2002 was a vintage won in the vineyard, beginning shortly after budbreak with shoot thinning, and on through the season with crop thinning to balance the vines and eliminate any damaged or delayed fruit. This work by our growers allowed us to bring in ripe, uniform, high quality fruit with intense flavors and nice natural acid levels.

Vinification

Grapes from cooler locations - Sonoma Coast, Carneros, and Santa Maria Valley - were harvested along with warmer locations - Sonoma Valley and Alexander Valley - to promote a deeper, more complex flavor profile. The majority of the lots were cold soaked for two to three days, fermented in open and closed fermentors and pumped over two times per day. The fermentations lasted 12 to 20 days at temperatures in the low 80's to low 90's. Wines were aged in American and French oak for 15 months. Alcohol 14.5%, Total acidity .56, pH 3.75, Residual sugar, .06%.

Tasting Notes

It is round, full bodied, and fairly complex in flavor, with a medium to long finish. In aroma, it features plum, vanilla, toasted oak, ripe cherry, and clove. With its evident richness and fruitiness, it can be enjoyed with broiled fish such as halibut, flounder, or swordfish; crab or shrimp Louis; earthy mushroom dishes; pork tenderloin; or broiled steak.

Terry Nolan, Winemaker