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2008 Carneros Pinot Noir
Eleven soil types and a variety of Pinot Noir clones and selections, varied terrain plus the daily effects of cooling summer breezes and morning fog combine to produce exceptional wine from our 335 acre estate vines in Carneros. As our understanding and development of our terroir grows, our estate Pinot Noir gains complexity and consistency. This is the 17th Carneros Pinot Noir we have released.
Tasting Notes
Ripe plum and black cherry fruit aromas followed by hints of mint and fresh herbs announce this delicious Pinot Noir. On the palate, this wine displays complexity and roundness with flavors of cherries jubilee and fresh berries followed by a lingering dry finish.
Winemaking Notes
2008 will be remembered by Carneros grape growers as a challenging year. It was one that required more attentive care of the vines. Record frost in March and April damaged some of the vines, followed by an unusual dry spell which caused the fields to be lighter and slightly overripe. Despite the year's challenges, the fruit quality was excellent as the lower yields produced highly concentrated fruit flavors.
Acclaim
91 POINTS, EDITOR'S CHOICE
"What a great price for a Pinot Noir with this charm and integrity. It's a wonderful wine, dry and rich in raspberry, cherry and spice flavors. Feels svelte and silky in the mouth, just like you want Pinot to be."
- Wine Enthusiast, April 2012
91 POINTS
"A California Pinot Noir that emphasizes elegance over sheer power. It conveys a refreshing delicacy often lacking in California Pinot Noir and marries spice with bright red fruit flavors...it allows the magic of Pinot Noir to bloom in the glass."
- Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, December 27, 2011
2007 VINTAGE, 94 POINTS, TOP 100 WINES OF 2011
"The wine is, in a word, superb. It has ripe raspberry, cherry and blackberry fruit, but also a wonderful earthiness of mushrooms, and the tannin-acid balance is near perfect."
- Wine Enthusiast, September 2011
Awards
2006 VINTAGE, 2011 Gold Medals
Florida State Fair - Double Gold
Dallas Morning News
Food Affinities
Delicious with duck breast, lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, roast chicken or grilled salmon. Try Manchego or Fontina for the cheese course. Seasoning affinities include dried citrus peel and berries along with shaved fennel.
Analysis
Blend: 100% Carneros Pinot Noir
