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: 1,940 cases
Release Date: August 2007
Winemakers' Notes
This Appellation Series blend has become something of a mainstay in our portfolio – a wonderful introductory Pinot Noir at a very fair price. However, in 2006, we seem to have taken this wine up a step or two qualitatively. The Sonoma County Pinot Noir is a blend of five different vineyards scattered from the far Western edge of the Russian River Valley to Sonoma Mountain. Specifically, the wine is a blend of 33% Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir, 25% Van der Kamp, 23% Lewis, 13% Amber Ridge, and 6% Keefer Ranch fruit. This also makes the wine a blend of multiple Pinot Noir clones – including 115, 667, 777, 828, Martini, and a rather old but unidentified clone of Pinot Noir grown up at the Van der Kamp site. Given this diversity of material and location, we should be able to make a wine that is at least somewhat entertaining. In 2006, we went beyond entertainment and produced a wine that is both complex and satisfying. At this point in time only a few folks have tasted the final blend but here is a description of the wine by one of the lucky few who has tasted it and posted it on Robert Parker’s Wine Bulletin board; “2006 Sonoma County - Wow, this wine is going to be a steal at $19 bucks, my clear favorite of the appellation wines. Really nice floral nose, with a classic red-fruit flavor profile, tart red cherries, strawberries. Great balance, full and broad on the palate, finely textured, and a pleasing medium finish. 91+ points.”
- Adam & Dianna Lee
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