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2006 Rust Rock Terrace Pinot Noir
The Pinot Noir from our Rust Rock Terrace block shows highly distinctive characteristics vintage after vintage. The outstanding flavors and textural qualities of this unique terroir prompted us to create this single-lot bottling. Comprised of shallow, rocky, volcanic soils situated on the uppermost hillside at the northwest end of our Circle Bar Ranch vineyard, the Rust Rock Terrace produces wines with elegant fruit characteristics and firmly textured mouthfeel.
Tasting Notes
Intense, ripe black cherry, blackberry and plum aromas mingle with mocha and cola nuances in the complex, deeply scented nose of this wine. The mouth-feel is lush and expansive, yielding abundant and sustained black plum and blackberry flavors and picking up ripe raspberry tones on the lengthy, superbly balanced finish.
Winemaking Notes
The 2006 vintage began with a cold, wet spring, ample rainfall through March and April, and some frost damage to Chardonnay. But Pinot Noir was unaffected by frost and produced a generous crop, so much so that we thinned clusters substantially to meet our low yield goals. Cool weather in August and September allowed the slow period of ripening we needed to develop very sound, very ripe fruit with little desiccation. We harvested our hillside estate vines in late September.
Award
2009 Gold Medals
North of The Gate Wine Competition
Food Affinities
A wine to accompany classic Pinot Noir fare, our Rust Rock Terrace Pinot Noir is delicious with duck breast with dried cherries, roasted quail, grilled salmon and wild mushroom ravioli. Try pairing with Dry Jack or Manchego cheeses.
Analysis
Blend: 100% Carneros Pinot Noir
