Tech Notes
Yield: 2 tons per acre
Harvest: August 29th-30th
Numbers @ Harvest: 23.8 Brix, 3.4 pH, 7.5 grams acidity
Barrel Regimen: French Burgundy 50% new; 50% 1 year
Bottling: September 2009
Alcohol: 13.5%
Tasting Notes
Release Date: Fall 2010
All of our estate vineyards are not irrigated (a rarity today). Every drop of water the vine uses comes from the sky. This isn’t because we can’t irrigate, it’s because this practice makes a more authentic, concentrated wine reflective of the vintage. In addition, no yeast is added for fermentation. All are native and spontaneous (the same is true for malolactic). Again it’s not because we can’t but the wine is truer to its terroir. As I approach my thirtieth vintage at Mount Eden it’s amazing how the winemaking has become as minimalist as possible.
This is our first estate offering from 2008. The growing conditions fit many parameters of high quality: low rainfall (25 inches), successful bloom in the spring and a moderate summer heat. The wine has a classic ruby hue with a sweet explosive nose of soft red fruit, cherry, pomegranate and earth. Round, generous and intense on the palate this vintage has the expected flavors of Pinot Noir – raspberry, plum black cherry and earth. Some tannin on the finish is apparent with great buttressing acidity.
One should expect improvement through 2018 and a drinking plateau for another decade.
Label
