1996 Pinot Noir, California
Vintage
1996
Price
$18
Release Date
December 1998
Appellation
California
Availability
Select Markets Nationally
Vineyards
- Santa Maria - Bien Nacido
- Carneros - Sangiacomo Vineyards
- Alexander Valley - Sterling
- Russian River - Kent Vineyard & Preston Vineyard
Vintage
The 1996 growing season was ideal for Pinot Noir. A relatively early ripener (first among major red varietals) Pinot Noir benefits from a warm to hot summer like that of 1996. The ripening process is accelerated which causes higher sugar levels and produces optimum flavor development. From our vineyards in Santa Maria on the Central Coast to those in Alexander Valley in Northern Sonoma County the grapes we culled were consistently full of ripe cherry and strawberry flavor.
Vinification
16 lots of grapes were culled from these five ranches and matched individually to the size and shape fermentor best suited to its development. All lots were cold soaked to extract maximum flavor with minimum tannin. Punch down and pump over routines were monitored and altered daily through the 8-13 day fermentation. The wine, still maintained in separate lots, was rushed to French oak shortly after pressing to finish secondary fermentation and was stirred weekly to intermittently to build middle mouthfeel and velvety texture. The wine received a total of 15 months barrel aging. The individual lots were blended, then bottled, unfiltered, in March, 1998. Alcohol: 14.1%, total acidity: .56, pH: 3.76, residual sugar: .05. 2,640 cases produced.
Tasting Notes
A redolent nose of cherry and ripe strawberry highlighted by toasted vanillin notes. Medium bodied with rich texture, this 1996 Pinot Noir presents abundant cherry, vanilla and spicy oak ending in a long creamy finish. The wine should continue to improve and will hold well to 2005 and beyond. Excellent with sashimi, grilled salmon and veal.