Release Date: Fall 1989

The Pinot Noir harvest in 1986 was extremely small. Typically, our Pinot Noir vineyard, which is at the crest of Mount Eden, receives harsh, crop-limiting weather during the crucial flowering period, but this year it was unusually severe. Only 1,176 bottles were produced. This works out to an incredible one bottle per 250 square feet of vineyard soil.

As could be expected from such a small harvest, the wine turned out to be very concentrated. The overall impression, however, is one of delicacy and nuance. Cherry and Strawberry form the fundamental aromas with complexities of spearmint, dill and smoke. Characteristic silky Pinot Noir texture is evident on the palate with the wonderful power and finesse typical of our 46 year-old vineyard.