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Mission Codename: The Pinnacle

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Elkhorn Peak Cellars, a winery that we first featured back in 2007. In the intervening years, Elkhorn wines have been in high demand, making them difficult to procure. Send Agent Red to secure a handful of cases off Elkhorn’s 2007, a wine reputed be of superior quality.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Elkhorn Peak Cellars

Wine Subject: 2007 Napa Valley Pinot Noir

Winemaker: Ken Nerlove

Backgrounder: Elkhorn Peak’s Pinot Noir comes from
the Fagan Creek Vineyard of South Napa’s Jameison Canyon. Planted in 1983 at an elevation of 350 feet, this hillside vineyard has views of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and sees cool and foggy influences from the bay – the perfect climate for growing Pinot Noir and other cool-climate varietals.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Perfect ruby hues, the wine is perfectly clear through a slightly darker heart. Color is concentrated and even, right out to the very edge of the glass. When swirled, the wine settles fast, leaving behind fat tears that begin high up on the glass, and then march steadily downward.

Smell – A big rush of candied cherry leaps from the glass on first inhalation. This is soon accompanied by strawberry, spiced blackberry jam, vanilla, cedar and soft brown spice. After some swirling, additional aromas of soft blueberry and hints of mushroom and black pepper emerge.

Feel – Soft, light and cool on the initial attack, then finely integrated tannins add a very soft and spreading dryness that begins at the tip of the tongue and spreads rearward. Bright acidity and a hint of soft, chalky minerals, support flavors, sustaining them long into the finish.

Taste – Big cherry takes the lead here. Follow-on flavors of young blackberry, strawberry, fresh picked blueberry and soft earth add complexity. At the end, subtle flavors of spice, dried red flower petals, a hint of mushroom, black pepper and chalk ease their way in.

Finish – Very long, juicy, bright and flavor-filled, with cherry that persists right to the end. As the wine adds a soft dryness to the palate, chalky minerals and a hint of cedar gradually replace the fruit.

Conclusion – The Estate-grown fruit, from Elkhorn’s own Jamison Canyon vineyard, really shines through. This is a delicious, cherry-lead, fruit-forward Pinot Noir that has plenty of brightness and complexity. One taste and our tasting panel broke into broad smiles. The bright acidity of the wine supports the fruit and sustains the juicy flavors long into the finish. Aromatics had our tasters nose-deep in the wine, long before any of us ever took our first sips. We paired our review bottles with a plate of hard cheeses, artisan bread and an assortment of fruit and crackers, though we feel that this wine would also pair beautifully with a pork roast or a grilled fish. We are very pleased to have Elkhorn Peak back in the roster of fine wines that we select for you, dear Operative. After you taste this wonderful wine, you’ll be pleased, too.

Mission Report:

_Ken Nerlove, Grower/owner_

When Ken Nerlove started growing grapes in the Napa Valley in 1983, he had no idea of what he was doing….but he had a vision. What he thought is that the area that he purchased land in Napa, the Jamieson Canyon area, would grow excellent grapes, more specifically Pinot Noir grapes. Now, 28 years later, he was dead on his belief. Because now, Jamieson Canyon is considered on the best regions in the Napa Valley to grow Pinot Noir grapes.

The travels to produce world class Pinot Noir was not an easy task. Nor was it cheap.

Starting with virgin land, much money and hard work was expended over a period of ten years to develop an exceptional South facing hillside vineyard that produces all the grapes for the Elkhorn Peak brand.

And lot of growers followed the footsteps of Nerlove. Now, the Jamieson Canyon region is heavily planted by the large wineries. And most of it is planted to Pinot Noir.
Nerlove’s vision was correct….nearly thirty years later!

Our 2007 Elkhorn Peak Pinot Noir is an exceptional bottle of wine. It is a combination of seven different “clones” of Pinot Noir. Each of the different clones exhibits the characteristics and nuances that contribute to a bottle of Pinot Noir that is sure to make you crave for more.

Oup philosophy of making wine is simple. Grow the best grapes you can in the best location you can. We grow only 2.5 tons per acre. By keeping the crop levels low, we consistently achieve the optimum ripeness and flavor profiles that we are looking for.

When it comes to the winemaking process, we approach it from the “hands off” method.

That is, we let the wine ferment and develop in the direction that it tends to go…..we direct it, but never “force” to something that it not. The results have been outstanding.

We have consistently produced world class Pinot Noirs that are very similar to the 2007 vintage. The 2007 Pinot noir is rich in flavors with a silky smooth mouth feel. The aromas are consistent with black cherry . The 2007 is drinking absolutely wonderful now, but will lay down for a number of years.

Keep in mind one thing…..wine is fun! It is a great social beverage. It complements foods. There is always interesting conversation when wine is being served. But keep it in perspective. Don’t take it too seriously. Enjoy it as you enjoy life….with a passion!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Elkhorn Peak estate vineyard, in the Napa Valley can be seen in this satellite photo.