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What We Say 2008 Surfrider Edna Valley Pinot Noir
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Mission Codename: Saving the bay… one bottle at a time
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Revisit our good friends at Rosenthal to bring you their inaugural release of the delicious Surfrider Pinot Noir
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate
Wine Subject: 2008 Surfrider Edna Valley Pinot Noir
Winemaker: Christian Roguenant
Backgrounder:
Boasting one of the longest growing seasons in California, the cool climate Edna Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) in San Luis Obisbo County is well known for producing superior Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Today’s selection from Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate is from their Surfrider label with proceeds from each sale benefiting the Surfrider Foundation. So pop open a bottle of this delicious wine (with a very cool label) and do some good at the same time – its Win-Win-Wine!
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep burgundy in color with ruby red streaks that shine through its glistening clear core. Along the edges the color lightens slightly to ruby red and when swirled, tight thin legs streak down the side of the glass.
Smell – Bright red fruit aromas layer over complex notes of earth, hot spice and smokey oak. Hints of soft herbs and other classic Pinot aromas also emerge as this wine opens and evolves in the glass.
Feel – Silky smooth and dry, this medium-bodied wine ahas lively acidity and supple but present tannins with touch of minerality that grasps the fruit into the finish.
Taste – Fresh and bright aromas of ripe red fruit including red cherry, strawberry and a touch of tart raspberry blend with earthy and baking spice. Add a hint of cola and balanced smokey and toasted oak round out the palate.
Finish – Clean and refreshing with lingering red fruit and other notes fading gently and begging for another sip.
Conclusion – The 2008 Surfrider Edna Valley Pinot Noir is lighthearted but delicious wine that has everything you’d expect from more expensive Pinot packed into a light bodied and approachable package. With the surfboards on the label, this wine is perfect for enjoying a lingering summer sunset on the beach.
Mission Report:
We were unable to secure an interview with Rosenthal’s winemaker, today. For your education and entertainment, what follows is a re-transmission of an earlier mission to Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate:
Summer in Southern California, does it get any better? The last couple days remind us of why I love running to SoCal operations center.
Having wrapped up our recent intel projects on some great Italian wines, I had some free time. I decided to take a trip up the coast. Along the way, it occurred to me that I should check in with one of our inside agents at Rosenthal to see how their progress of the 2004 Cabernet is coming.
It was strange, I hadn’t heard much about the 2004 vintage yet – no doubt after the tough 2003 vintage, but we had no reports from the field. Upon arriving at the prescribed meet point, Agent Blanc (don’t blow her cover, but you may know her if you’re a member of the wine club) handed me bottle of their 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon.
“I can make some of this available to your operatives,” Agent Blanc said, “but tell no-one.” Trying to hide my excitement and thinking to myself “another Wine Spies exclusive”, Agent Blanc continued “this wine is only available on a limited basis, but I know you’ll love the wine.”
Love the wine we did; we love all the wines from Rosenthal that are expertly crafted by winemaker Christian Roguenant and this one is exceptional. Once you try this wine, we know you’ll agree.
It’s nice to be a Wine Spy!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Rosenthal - The Malibu Estate
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this wine supports the Surfrider Foundation to help protect our oceans and beaches!
Awards & Accolades:
Top 10 Summer Wines – Gayot – This first release of Pinot Noir for Surfrider displays silky texture and vivid aromas of Bing cherries and strawberries, with a hint of cinnamon. Racy flavors of strawberry jam and cherry cola tantalize the palate. Light to medium-bodied, this silky wine can take a slight chill, making it a great red wine to sip on a warm summer evening. A mellow red that doesn’t overpower, the Surfrider Pinot Noir can be served as an aperitif with fruit and cheese, or paired with a main course like salmon or roast beef And if you plan to hit the beach this summer, you’ll be glad to know that the Surfrider label donates a portion of its proceeds to Surfrider Foundation—a grassroots non-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting oceans and beaches.
About This Wine
Elegant, with racy favors of strawberry jam and cherry cola, with a hint of cinnamon on the nose. Light to medium-bodied, this silky wine can even take a slight chill.
Why is Pinot Noir all the rage? Find out when you savor our first Surfrider Pinot Noir release! As always with our Surfrider line, a portion of the proceeds go to the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots, non-proft, environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves and beaches.
About Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate:
Fine wine from Malibu? Southern California’s Malibu, home to movie stars and Bay Watch?
Yes, these wines are from grapes grown in Malibu not on the famous beach, but in a scenic valley four miles from the coast, 1,400-feet up, above the coastal fog, in the AVA Malibu Newton Canyon.
George Rosenthal, owner of movie studios, hotels, and other enterprises, first planted vineyards at his 250 acre estate in 1987, after spending two years checking soil and weather to make sure he planted the correct varietals in the correct locations.
25 acres of hillside vines are planted in this unique microclimate, where cool breezes filter into Newton Canyon in the evening, tempering warm, sunny days. Even with this boutique size, individual plots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc are separately vinified and barrel-aged before blending.
Winemaker Christian Roguenant strives to bring out the unique terroir of the site. The reds are unfiltered and unfined, and the Chardonnay does not go through ML. All the grapes come from the estate vineyards.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay can be enjoyed in some of LA’s toniest restaurants, and some of Hollywood’s top stars have sipped the wines at the estate.
You may not be able to wrangle an invitation to the vineyard (then again, you might), but you can now enjoy these wines at your own – estate”.
Technical Analysis:
pH: 3.5
Alcohol: 13.0%
TA: .62
Brix at Harvest: 24.8
Oak: 35% New French Oak
Fermentation: Cold soaked for 10 days at 55F. Fermented at 82F open-top. Extended maceration 10 days post dryness.
Closure: Screw top
Vinted by Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate
