2019 Earl Stephens Pinot Noir

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Appellation: Russian River Valley 

Sensory Notes: The 2019 vintage really highlights the complexities of the blend of four clones. Clone 4 adds pretty, red floral elements, and lighter notes that are a direct result of their lower brix levels at harvest. A dark garnet hue draws one in to explosive aromatics of tart cherries, juniper and plum. Beautifully balanced between fruit, acid and tannins this wine is already showing depth of fruit--tart cherries and italian plums--as well as herbal and oak influences with the juniper and wild mountain mint characteristics. Silkiness is long drawn out on the finish.

Winemaker Notes: The fruit from Stephens Vineyard was harvested by hand at night to ensure that it arrived at the winery cool, and in pristine condition. It then went through a five-to-seven-day cold soak, followed by a native yeast fermentation, with punch-downs applied twice-daily. The four clones (4, 115, 667, 777) were co-fermented, with 95% destemmed grapes and 5% whole clusters. The wine was aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 40% of which were new.