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What We Say 2009 Sonoma County Pinot Noir
BLACK FRIDAY ALERT:
The Wine Spies hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and we want to help you to replenish your cellar by offering you today’s special – exclusive – Black Friday deal on a great Pinot Noir!
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Mission Codename: The capital of Burgundy
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: For our deserving Operatives, secure a Black Friday allocation of a delicious and value-oriented Sonoma County Pinot Noir.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Grove Street Winery
Wine Subject: 2009 Sonoma County Pinot Noir, Dijon Clone Cuvee
Winemaker: Nancy Walker
Backgrounder: Today’s dazzling young Pinot Noir comes to us from Grove Street Winery, and Wine Spies’ favorite winemaker, Nancy Walker. Today’s wine is comprised of 62% Russian River, and 38% Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and includes Dijon Clones 114, 115, 667, and 777.
The Russian River Valley AVA, in Sonoma is particularly well suited to producing exceptional Pinot Noir. This AVA was officially designated in 1983, but many of the wines in the region used the designation as early as the 1970s (early in California’s wine history) with the many of the vines having been first planted in the early 1900s.
The Sonoma Coast AVA is the 750 square mile area with the Pacific ocean on its western boundary, the San Pablo Bay to the south and Mendocino County to the north, headed inland to the other designated AVAs in Sonoma County. The region is heavily influenced by the cooler ocean climate, increased rainfall and fog that lingers long on the coastal mountains. The specific climate suits the demanding Burgundian varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir very well.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – This wine glistens with gorgeous ruby red hues that sustain perfect color from the clear core of the wine, right out to the edges of the glass. When swirled, the wine shows of a surface that snaps back to still, very quickly. After it settles, plump, wine-stained legs crawl steadily down the glass.
Smell – Bold in intensity with a classic cool-climate nose of bright cherry, earthy , ripe strawberry and tart raspberry. These are quickly followed by sweet mixed red flowers, brown spice, subtle white mushroom and a hint of wet wood smoke.
Feel – A cool and smooth initial attack is quickly followed by a crushed velvet feel as fine-grained tannins add a smooth dryness. Bright acidity strengthens the backbone.
Taste – Youthful, focused flavors of fresh underripe cherry, raspberry and young strawberry lead the way. Just below these sit flavors of tart fresh cranberry, red rose petals , softest sweetwood and a hint of black pepper and soft smoke.
Finish – Long lasting with complex lingering flavors (and aromas) of dark cherry, raspberry, earth, sweetwood and black pepper that linger on the wine’s acid and tannic structure.
Conclusion – The 2009 Sonoma County Pinot Noir, Dijon Clone Cuvee is an exciting, youthful and delicious wine that is drinking well now – and promises to keep improving over time. This wine is bright, bold and delicious, with a deep nose and a complex, focused palate of red fruit and spice, with earthen components that add to the overall intrigue of the wine. Decant for best results and pair with a spicy meat dish of lamb, pork or beef.
Mission Report:
Busy working her magic in the winery of late, Nancy Walker was unable to sit down for an interview for today’s wine. Please be sure to stay tuned for any future Grove Street wine sales here, as we’ll be sure to secure a future interview with Nancy.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Grove Street Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Grove Street Winery
About The Wine:
A classic example of cool climate origin Pinot Noir showcasing the finesse and depth of Sonoma County. Enticing aromatics of ripe cherry and bright raspberry are framed by warm spice. Flavors of lush cherry and black raspberry are followed by a long silky mouthfeel that finishes lively and fresh. Pair with lamb, pork, grilled beef, and spicy Asian dishes. Ideal food wine!
Fruit for our 2009 release of our Sonoma County Pinot Noir was harvested from a diverse range of smaller vineyards from within the Russian River and Sonoma Coast growing regions. These regions have all earned well deserved reputations for producing Pinot Noir that is recognized as some of the finest in North America. The combination of diverse sites and growing regions is reflected through the wine in both complexity and richness. The wonderful varietal accuracy, balance and acidity that shows is a result of the cool growing conditions in each of these renowned growing regions.
Vineyard Notes: Smaller vineyards from within the Russian River, Carneros, and Sonoma Coast AVA’s growing a diverse range of Dijon Clone Pinot Noir. The 2009 release consists of 62% Russian River, and 38% Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and includes Dijon Clones 114, 115. 667, and 777.
Vintage Notes: The 2009 vintage provided ideal growing conditions of sunny days and moderate temperatures that defined the Summer growing period and were followed by warm days and cool nights into the early Fall. Grapes for the 2009 release were harvested from mid September into mid October providing an ideal range of ripeness levels between 23 and 25 Degrees Brix.
Fermentation and Aging: Clusters were de-stemmed into 5 ton stainless steel fermenters with an average of 20% left to whole cluster in order to enhance aromatic content. Cold soak was done over a 4 day period to achieve maximum extraction and depth of fruit while the cap was pumped over gently to assure varietal accuracy. Lots were pressed at an average of 3 Degrees Brix and placed in barrel with 40% being new French Oak and the balance in 2-3 year old French Oak barrels. Lots were aged for an average of 12 months to allow full development and were lightly filtered prior to bottling.
About The Winery:
Welcome to Grove Street Winery! For over 20 years the Grove Street Winery has played a dynamic role in shaping the history of Sonoma County winemaking. Founded in 1988, the winery sits on one of the oldest streets in Healdsburg and a short distance from the Russian River. For centuries the Russian River has defined all aspects of life in this community as it runs through the center of this historic town making its way to the majestic Pacific Ocean eighteen miles west. Grove Street has long been regarded as one of the wineries that over the past generation has helped elevate this community to world class winemaking status. Under the new direction and ownership of Vintner Pat Roney and his assembled team of winemaking professionals, The Grove Street Winery sits poised to begin a renewed era of winemaking traditions for present and future generations of wine lovers.
A Brief History of the Growing Region: A legacy that spans almost two centuries has helped define Sonoma County as an internationally recognized producer of world class wines. The Franciscan Monks from Spain established vineyards at Mission Sonoma in the early 1800’s and California’s oldest commercial winery was founded in Sonoma in 1857. Old world winemaking traditions passed down have combined with modern cutting edge winemaking to create wines of true distinction that are a reflection of this unique terroir.
Discovering the Growing Region: Diversity of climate, soils, geological formations and topography set Sonoma County aside from any other winemaking region in the world. It is believed that Sonoma County has more distinct soil types than in ALL of France. There are 13 distinct AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas) that are home to almost 1,800 vineyards and over one half are smaller than 25 acres (10 hectares). The cold waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west provide cool maritime winds and chilly coastal fog at night. Combined with moderate to warm daytime temperatures, ideal micro-climates occur for growing a diverse range of varietals that show both complexity and balance. From Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, Sonoma County provides the ideal environment for Grove Street and the other 300 wineries that call Sonoma home.
Technical Analysis:
Varietal Makeup: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 14.5%
Harvest Dates: September 14 to October 17th
Bottling Date: October 23, 2010
Cases: 1,540 cases produced
