2004 Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir
By focusing solely on Pinot Noir from the most prestigious vineyard sites in California and Oregon, and by vinifying each barrel separately by lot, clone, yeast and cooper, we champion individuality of place and intensity of flavor in each wine we produce.

Production & Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.1%
pH: 3.8
Total Acid: 0.57
Cooperage: 100% French, 64% New Remond, Seguin-Moreau, Francois Freres
Cases: 338

Winemakers' Comments
We have produced 6 vintages of Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir (counting what is currently in barrel). Each year it proves to be one of our most challenging Pinot Noirs to blend. We say “to blend” because it isn’t that much more difficult to make than our other Pinots. But blending back the various components (the 3 different clones, the different barrels, the free run and press juice) is always challenging as we strive to find the right balance between richness and elegance. With some of our bigger Pinots the inclusion or exclusion of a single barrel makes only a small difference in the wine’s character but with the Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir even the slightest change throws off the balance of the wine. Admittedly some vintages have been more successful at walking this tightrope than others (2002 comes to mind as a particularly good wine) but 2004 takes the cake.

The 2004 Siduri Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir shows the balance that we prize most when this vineyard (and our winemaking) is firing on all cylinders. The San Francisco Chronicle just reviewed this wine as their highest rated Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. They described the wine thusly, “This is an exotic Pinot, with pretty rose petal, pie cherry and ginger aromas, bright black cherry and cranberry fruit, and black pepper, mushroom, soy and orange zest nuances. Deep, complex and polished….” Sounds good to us!

- Adam & Dianna Lee

Accolades for the 2004 Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir:

Quite exotic, with rose petal, cherry and ginger aromas, black cherry and cranberry fruit, and black pepper, mushroom and orange zest nuances. Complex and polished.

93 Points - Medium-deep ruby color; ripe, red cherry and spicy aromas; rich and lush with bright red cherry flavors, spicy notes and sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Earthy style of Pinot with some nice spice notes and silky texture.

THREE STARS - This is an exotic Pinot, with pretty rose petal, pie cherry and ginger aromas, bright black cherry and cranberry fruit, and black pepper, mushroom, soy and orange zest nuances. Deep, complex and polished, it's for drinking now.

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