2006 North Coast Pinot Noir

Analysis

Grape Source
The grapes for this lovely wine came from several vineyards in California’s North Coast appellation. About half came from Mendocino’s Potter Valley (the wonderful Pauli Vineyards) and our own estate vineyard in the Napa Carneros.

Chemistry at Bottling
pH: 3.79
Total Acidity: 6.4 grams/liter
Alcohol: 13.37%
Free Sulfur Dioxide: 28 parts per million
Total Sulfur Dioxide: 68 parts per million

Sensory Notes
Nose – This wine is a classic California Pinot Noir—lots of nice dark-berry fruit, toasty oak along with the “earthiness” that is only seen in the best Pinot.
Mouth – The mouth of this wine is a stunning example of what Pinot Noir can be—rich, complex, yet full of bright fruitiness and spice. The predominant characters follow the nose—dark bramble-berry fruit, along with some bright cherry notes, toasty oak and a good hit of classic Burgundian complexity. Over it all is a bright balance of cardamom spice. The tannins are in just a little drying, sort of like chewing on a marigold, and offset the fruit nicely.