Over the last few months we have had the opportunity to taste the 2009 Siduri Cargasacchi Vineyard Pinot Noir several times and with each opportunity we have become more and more impressed with the wine. We are now thinking this might be our finest Cargasacchi Pinot Noir since our debut release in 2001. However, that first wine was all about power, while this release shows more complexity and an uncanny sense of balance.

The 2009 vintage produced a good-sized crop at the Cargasacchi Vineyard. We worked closely with Peter Cargasacchi to drop any fruit that shouldn't be on the vine, such as clusters that would congest the fruit zone, clusters running behind in ripeness, or those not structurally sound, but that still left 3 tons per acre. Fortunately, the weather in 2009 remained perfect until late in the season, allowing this crop to ripen fully. We picked the vineyard on October 9, 2009 and fermented some of the fruit in tank (with approximately 33% whole cluster) while some of it was fermented in bins and completely destemmed. We also chose to let some of the wine ferment uninoculated, while we added yeast to other lots. Ultimately, we chose a mere 9 barrels to blend together to produce the finest possible Cargasacchi Vineyard designated Pinot Noir.

The 2009 Siduri Cargasacchi Vineyard Pinot Noir shows ample fruit up front, with plums, black cherry, and blueberry flavors all apparent upon first sip. The wine also has some earthy, mineral characteristics, and a bit more tannin than some of our other wines from the vineyard. Ultimately, however, it is this wine's balance that will make it appeal to both those who love younger Pinots and to those who want to cellar their wines.

Cases: 225
Released: February 2011