Making as many different Pinot Noirs as we do, it is vitally important to us to make certain that
each wine reflects the unique terroir of each vineyard as well as the character of the vintage.
That being said, after dealing with a vineyard for a few years we begin to get a feel for the overall
character of the place and how to best express that in the wine.
We have been purchasing fruit from the Sapphire Hill Vineyard in the Russian River Valley
since 2000. We’ve tried a number of different experiments with the fruit and in our winemaking
to see what techniques best express the character of the place. One of the conclusions has been
that the wine does best when you do not try to over-extract the wine. In other words, don’t try to
turn Sapphire Hill into something it is not. Year after year, Sapphire Hill is one of our most
pure, balanced, elegant Pinot Noirs. Trying to turn it into something else is a mistake.
Accordingly, we picked the Sapphire Hill Vineyard at very reasonable levels of sugar, between
22.4 and 24 brix. After a short cold soak, we inoculated the juice with two typical Pinot Noir
yeasts and, at the conclusion of fermentation pressed the wine to a selection of French oak barrels.
We chose 13 out of 38 barrels for the final blend and bottled it, without fining or filtration,
in August of 2007.
The 2006 Siduri Sapphire Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir is a beautiful Pinot Noir. At only 13.4% alcohol
it shows a fine sense of balance, demonstrating fragrant cranberry and strawberry fruit,
with slight hints of smoke and even a touch of pine needle. The finish is long and elegant with
smooth tannins. Sapphire Hill Pinot Noirs have a tendency to take on more weight with the passage
of time so, although this is plenty drinkable now, it should be even better with a couple of
additional yeas in bottle.
PRODUCTION: 295 cases
RELEASE DATE: October 2008
 93 points ~ Medium ruby color; ripe, spice cherry and strawberry aromas; bright and rich red cherry flavors, spice and strawberry notes with sweet oak; silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Bright, spicy fruit make this a delicious Pinot to sip by itself.
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