Release Date: Fall 1980

This wine is somewhat lighter than our usual Pinot Noir and therefore has much more Burgundian character. It has a warm, berry-like Pinot Noir aroma together with a subtle gentleness on the palate and a clean finish. The production was not large, as our vines have not yet recovered from the drought of ’75/’76. Our Pinot Noir vines are quite old; having been the first planted on Mount Eden by Martin Ray in 1946, and are thus apt to be more seriously effected by adversity. (We are happy to report that for the 1979 vintage they were back in full production again.) The wine is ready to drink now and is particularly good with cheese. We recommend that it be drunk up with the next year or two.