The Sonoma County Pinot Noir is technically our entry-level Pinot Noir but over the last few years it seems to have donned other garb. Instead of simply being “entry-level” it is being called things such as a “super-wine at a super-price,” “a great QPR (quality-price
ratio)”, and many other laudatory phrases. Last year, it was one of only two Pinot Noirs from the United States that received at least a 90 point rating from Wine Spectator at $20 or less (the other was the Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot). We point all of this out with a sense of pride, but it does apply a bit of pressure to us each vintage to match the previous vintage’s quality.
Despite lower yields, the 2008 vintage did provide us with ample fruit from which to select our Sonoma County Pinot Noir. We declassified 73% of the Pinot from Sonoma County and then chose from amongst these declassified barrels for our various appellation wines. The 2008 Siduri Sonoma County Pinot Noir is primarily a blend of Van der Kamp, Hirsch, and Sonatera vineyard fruit with a touch of Russian River fruit tossed in. This
blend in noticeably different than in past years as the Van der Kamp and Hirsch Vineyards often emphasize a bit more complexity, earth, and dried herb character than simple fruit. That is the case as well in 2008, but we found that adding the 5% Russian River wine popped the fruit and yet retained the complexity, giving us the best of both worlds This wine, while good now, will be better if you let it rest until Thanksgiving or so.
Cases: 1685
Released: August 2009
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