Temperamental, feisty and frisky — a teenager that’s seemingly always in rebellion. That’s Pinot Noir. Any winemaker will tell you that it’s the hardest grape to train, from bud break to bottle.
But our 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve — winner of a Gold Medal in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition — is, hands down, the finest one we’ve made. Crafted in an elegant, rich, Burgundian style, it is reminiscent of the greatest wines from Vosne-Romanée, the French epicenter of Pinot Noir. The grapes for this beauty were grown in a meticulously farmed vineyard in northern Monterey County, near the famed Chalone vineyards. It is a blend of three clones — Pommard, 667 and 115 on 100R rootstock.
Sparkling ruby in color, it bursts forth with a bouquet laden with pomegranates, sour cherries, rose petal, orange peel and mulling spices. The flavors are rich, deep and long-lasting. Mark describes it as a “Mozart piano concerto for two pianos — delicate, soft tones moving to a dramatic crescendo.” A perfect companion for turkey or salmon, it’s wonderful to drink now but will grow more beautiful with age.
Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Vintage: 2009
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Monterey
Acid: .61
PH: 3.65
Alcohol: 14.2%