Nose

It is vibrantly floral and earthy on the nose with a burst of ripe, juicy
black plum, blueberry and sweet tobacco.

Palate

A palate heady with nuances of anise,
thyme, sweet tobacco and leather.  As fruit and savory flavors meld through the mid‐palate,
a hint of toasted vanilla bean and citrus oil adds dimension as big, ripe tannins confirm the
wine's muscularity and age‐worthiness over the finish. 

Growing Conditions

2009 began with an abundance of spring rain followed by mild, steady
summer temperatures that set the stage for nearly ideal pinot noir and chardonnay
growing conditions.  The well‐set fruit ripened slowly allowing for an excellent balance of
sugars and acids to develop.    The resulting wines can be characterized as elegant and rich
with profound depth and structure.

Harvest

Hand‐harvested grapes.

Bottling

Unblended, unfined and unfiltered; bottled April 2011.

Winemaking

 Fermented in small, open‐top stainless steel fermentors with indigenous yeasts
 6‐day cold soak, 18 days total maceration
 Hand‐punched cap
 Native malolactic fermentation in barrels

Aging

Aged 18 months in Francois Frères and Remond French oak barrels; 63% new.

Appearance

Dense violet/ruby in color.