Once again, the organically farmed grapes from Jim Haire’s vineyard in the renowned Carneros appellation provided us with an excellent opportunity to highlight what Carneros Pinot Noir has to offer in a moderately long, cool vintage. The vineyard is planted to several clones including two of the newer Dijon clones (667 & 777) and the older but well respected Pommard 4 and 115 clones, and has been organically certified since 2006. The fruit was hand harvested in the second week of October, almost a month later than usual, and fermented in small open top stainless steel tanks. Hand punchdowns every six hours during the fermentation ensured a gentle extraction of color and tannin and ten months aging in 100% French oak barrels, has given us a truly delicious wine with excellent depth and complexity. A medium ruby color and aromas of dark cherries, briary strawberry and subtle hints of vanilla and lavender give way to a lush, silky palate with more bright fruit, cedar, and toast. This wine also has a good acid/tannin balance that should allow for great aging potential
in the years to come. Enjoy! - Chris Pisani, Winemaker