Nose

Generously scented with
orange zest, white flowers and ginger.

Palate

this wine opens to a firmly structured, silky palate of Anjou
pear, zesty apple, yeasty brioche with hints of fresh almond.  Echoes of ripe fruit linger over a finish
enlivened by hints of vanillin and citrus oil. 

Growing Conditions

The 2007 growing season was preceded by a mild, dry winter.  Bud break came early
and set a crop of tight clusters of small berries.  Summer brought warm, even temperatures through
veraison.  Several heat spikes in August suggested that crush might begin early but temperatures
cooled in early September, allowing ample time for phenolics as well as sugars to reach optimum
levels.  The result was a slow, steady harvest of exceptional quality, with wines showing great
intensity and structure.

Harvest

Hand‐harvested grapes.

Bottling

Unblended, unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2009.

Winemaking

ƒ Whole cluster, direct to press, cold
ƒ Barrel‐fermented with indigenous yeasts; 4 months to completion
ƒ Concurrent, spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels

Aging

Aged 16 months in French oak barrels; 71% new. Aged sur lies; biweekly bâtonnage.

Appearance

Lustrous pale straw in color