2004 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Winemaker's Notes
This wine is always one of my favorite blends. The nose is scented of ripe cherries, wild blackberry jam, violets, spice, crème brûlée and honey-cured bacon. Your mouth fills with flavors of maraschino cherries, raspberries, sassafras, pie spices and toasty oak. The ripe, concentrated tannins are rich and round across the palate. The bright acidity and berry finish is long and lingering. Will age as well as any of the Russian River blends.
—Winemaker Bob Cabral
The Vineyards
For the last 15 years we have been crafting “Artisan Pinot Noirs” from the most expensive fruit from a handful of Russian River Vineyards. Each parcel adds its expression to the complexity and overlapping flavors, all of which brings together a cohesive and balanced whole.
Harvest 2004
A hot spell in March followed by a warm spring influenced an unusually early bloom and budbreak. This precocious start, followed by a growing season of moderate temperatures, resulted in a very early harvest. Although we harvested the grapes two to three weeks earlier than normal, the long season provided ample time for the fruit to reach full maturity and develop extraordinary color and intense flavors. The Pinot Noir harvest season was characterized by warm days coupled with low relative humidity, which helped to concentrate the flavors and aromatics.
Technical Notes
| Barrel Description: | 38% new, 41% 1-year old, 21% 2-year-old |
|---|---|
| Barrel Aged: | 11 months |
| pH: | 3.62 |
| TA: | 0.57g/100ml |
| Alc.: | 13.9% |
| Release Date: | Spring 2006 |
| Release Price: | $42 |