The Ewald Vineyard remains one of our most intriguing vineyards. Situated behind Kistler's property, nestled next to Stiling and Dehlinger vineyards, this property has produced some of our most compelling Pinots...and yet we don't seem to have yet fully figured out the vineyard. One thing we have learned is that the wines from this site do not do particularly well in a bunch of new oak. Over the years the final blend has always been less than 50% new wood, with the 2008 fitting right into that range at 40% new French oak. The 2008 was also picked at slightly higher than we would prefer sugar levels (between 26.8 and 27.2) but this was when the fruit tasted ripe. Yields were frightfully small at just shy of 1 ton per acre, due to a terrible frost that hit the vineyard in late March.. After having to paid so much attention to the vineyard, it seemed to make sense that we continue it in the cellar. The wine was allowed to remain in its original barrels until it was racked together just before bottling.

The 2008 Siduri Ewald Vineyard Pinot Noir is just beginning to reveal itself, showing intense black cherry and blackberry fruit, with floral scents, and hints of sage and mineral. The wine remains acidic on the finish, leading us to believe that it will continue to improve with some time, although it tastes pretty fantastic right now with some food.

Cases: 125