Pinot Noir
King Family Vineyard, 2013

$ 62.00

Planted in 1998 to the east of the Laguna de Santa Rosa on huichica soil, this vineyard consistently produces rich, dark–fruited Pinot Noirs. Owners Ben and Carla King see to it that it is farmed with a high degree of attention to detail, a necessary ingredient in successful Pinot Noir production. This wine should age and develop beautifully in bottle for five to eight years after the vintage.

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Winemaker's Notes

Both the soils and the nuance of climate vary somewhat from the vineyards that make up our Russian River Valley blend.  When I began working with this site, it was a surprise that it did not fit perfectly in that blend.  Now, I revel in its uniqueness, thinking of it as ‘a different kind of good.’

All from what is called ‘Pommard’ clone (a long-time workhorse in this region), it has a fuller body and more dark and earthy tones than our Russian River Valley bottling.  As I said last year, it gains its ‘angles’ side of the balance equation more from tannin and a little less from acidity than the more westerly sites in the Russian River area making this wine a perfect companion for lamb or even beef.  Another example of less being more, this was also racked zero times from the time it was barreled after pressing until bottling.  The extra time on yeast lees really envelops any edges to the substantial tannins this clone/site possesses.  More of the savory, Gevery-like characteristics are here as a result.  Dark fruits, fresh earth, savory/saline notes and a long finish are in store.  It drinks really well at the moment and should do so for another 5-10 years perhaps.