As is usually the case, the Amber Ridge Vineyard was one of our earliest ripening vineyards. We picked all three clones (115, 667, and 777) on September 2nd (we've never picked in August) . Yields were down significantly from 2007 with almost 35% less fruit. This was due to the large spread frost that hit the Russian River Valley in early March. We completely destemmed the 115 and 777 fruit as the stems seemed still green to us. But we chose to retain 30% of the stems in the 667 clone fermentation. In addition to this, we used three different yeasts in the fermentation of these clones in hopes of adding an additional layer of complexity. Ultimately, we selected 6 barrels out of 13 total and blended those to create the final wine. For those of you into the numbers, the final wine is comprised of 33% 667 clone, 17% 115 clone, and 50% 777 clone. It was aged in 83% new French oak and was not racked until just prior to bottling. It was bottled without fining or filtration.

The 2008 Siduri Amber Ridge Pinot Noir exhibits an enviable pureness of flavor. Rich, dark fruits such as plum, currant, and wild berries combine with hints of cola and sassafras in the mid-palate. The wine has a beautiful texture and lush mouth-feel but turns a bit more tannic on the finish, leading us to believe that while it is drinkable now it will age well for at least the next three years.

Cases: 150
Released: 2010