1998 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County
Vintage
1998
Price
$21
Release Date
November 2000
Appellation
Sonoma County
Availability
Select Markets Nationally
Vineyards
- Russian River - Preston
- Santa Maria Valley - Bien Nacido
- Alexander Valley - Sterling
- Sonoma Valley - Horn
- Sonoma County - Fairview
Vintage
1998 was a very late and very wet growing season culminating in a warm autumn and small crop levels. The cool-climate location of our vineyards, however, performed well, allowing our grapes the "hang-time" necessary to develop optimum fruit development.
Vinification
Ten lots of grapes were culled from these four vineyards and each was 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 May 2000. Alcohol: 13.9%, total acidity: .57, pH: 3.62, residual sugar: .06. Cases produced: 1,548.
Tasting Notes
Aromas are of raspberry, herbs and spicy oak. The flavors are of strawberry, rhubarb and rich vanilla. Overall impression is of intensely ripe fruit. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, creamy and velvety. The flavors carry through to a long finish.