2007 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER SELECTION
Our appellation designate wines are carefully crafted blends from our very finest vineyard properties. Through clonal and geographic diversity, our winemaker combines the nuances from multiple cuvees, creating levels of intrigue and complexity not typically obtainable from a single vineyard source. Always among our favorite releases, this wine was graced by what many consider the finest Russian River Valley vintage in over two decades.
VINTAGE SUMMARY
2007 provided Russian River Valley winemakers with an extremely small crop of tiny clusters and berries, perfectly ripened by an especially cool and dry growing season. Though production was significantly limited by crop size, the wines express amazing flavor intensity and impeccable balance. We feel the vintage will yield some of the finest examples of Pinot Noir ever produced from this region.
WINEMAKER NOTES
Alluring scents of lavender, blueberry and spice lead to cascading flavors of dark berries, pomegranate and wild plum. Flavors continue to build and intensify on the palate, and though blackberry/raspberry fruit remains the focus, spice and lavish oak elements add amazing depth and richness to the experience. It’s the finish, however, that ultimately substantiates the wine’s credibility; as correct tannins and crisp acidity provide the structural integrity and balance required for long-term cellaring and a refreshing, vibrant finish.
Gary Farrell, winemaker
CELLAR NOTES
VINEYARDS AND CLONES
Floodgate RRV Vineyard: Martini clone 13, Dijon clones 667, 777
Rochioli Vineyard: Pommard clone 4, Dijon clone 115
Allen Vineyard: Dijon clone 777
Starr Ridge Vineyard: Dijon clones 115, 777
Hallberg Vineyard: Dijon clones 777, 828
Toboni Vineyard: Dijon clones 667, 777
HARVEST INFORMATION
Harvest dates: 8/19 - 9/5
Hand harvested at night under lights
Hand sorted in vineyard
Average brix: 24.2 degrees
GRAPE PROCESSING
Cold fruit processed early AM
Hand sorted prior to stem removal
Hand sorted after stem removal
FERMENTATION
Tanks: Small open tops
Cold soak: 3-5 days
Yeast: Wild and cultured
Mixing: 3 punch downs daily
Duration: 9-11 days
BARREL PROGRAM
100% French oak
Francois Freres, Rousseau
45% new
ML fermentation in barrel
10 months in barrel
FINISHED WINE
Alcohol: 14.2% by volume
Titratable acidity: 6.7 gm/L
pH: 3.44
Bottling date: July 16, 2008
Production: 1,524 cases (9 liter equivalent)
