2006 Pinot Noir - Carneros / Ramal Vineyard

93 points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
90 points - Wine News

VINEYARD
The Ramal Vineyard is located in Carneros on south-facing slopes overlooking San Pablo Bay, a northern branch of San Francisco Bay. In addition to the sand and clay-based soils that predominate in the region, this vineyard features rocky sections of a type seldom seen in Carneros. This wine is made from hand-harvested Pinot Noir Dijon Clone selections culled from choice vineyard blocks of this venerable estate.

WINEMAKING NOTES
The grapes used to make this wine were harvested on September 18th, destemmed and left to cold-soak for five days prior to the start of fermentation. The grapes were then fermented in stainless steel vats and matured in 100% French oak barrels for 8 months, (44% new, 12% one-year & 42% two-year, and 2% three-year old) prior to bottling in late July of 2007.

TASTING NOTES
The 2006 Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir exhibits aromas of ripe red cherry and strawberry, intertwined with warm spices, pipe tobacco and crème brulee. Flavors of cherry cola, strawberry and rose water are mixed with vanilla, leather, dried tobacco and cocoa powder from the toasty oak. The wine is balanced, with medium acidity, alcohol and body, and ripe fine-grained tannins. It will comfortably age another two to five years.

TECHNICAL
Winemaker: Susan Reed
Appellation: Carneros
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Harvested: September 18, 2006
Bottled: July 18, 2007
Cases Produced: 392
Alcohol: 14.4%
Acidity: 3.46 pH, 6.50 gm/L