VINEYARD Cohn
CLONES 828
ORIENTATION East/West
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Josephine Loam with ‘Terra Rosa’ iron oxide surface
HARVEST DATES September 14, 2012
FERMENTATION 8 & 5-ton stainless steel open-tops,
1-ton bins, 91% de-stemmed, 9% whole cluster
OAK 33% new French oak / 16 months
ALCOHOL 14.3%
pH 3.63
TA 5.8 g/L
BOTTLING DATE January 7, 2013
AROMA
Rich raspberry and cherry laced with creamy vanilla, white pepper, cola, and a touch of mushroom.
PALATE
The wine exhibits juicy raspberries, cherry, and sweet spice with an elegant, deep structure. The mid-palate runs deep with plum and ripe, black cherry finishing with lingering vanilla, cola, and wild strawberries. The wine is deep and continues to evolve in the glass.
We are excited to return to Cohn Vineyard, the source of Kosta Browne’s first Pinot Noir. Located off Westside Road outside Healdsburg, the historic vineyard was planted in 1970, making it one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the Russian River area. The vineyard is part of a 55-acre ranch purchased in 2003 by Benovia owners Joe Anderson and his wife, Mary Dewane. This beautiful site is framed by redwood forests and incredible vistas of the Russian River Valley. The iron-rich clay-loam soils are sometimes referred to as ‘Terra Rosa’ soils for their intense red color. Josephine series loam soils are mixed with quartz and cobblestones which give the wines from this site an intense minerality. In 2009, Benovia transitioned to organic viticulture and have seen tremendous improvements in the health of the soil and the dynamism of the vines. In 2012, we were generously offered two tons of fruit from this highly coveted vineyard. We have a wonderful relationship with the Anderson family and are honored to again work with their prized vineyard.
THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY IS hallowed ground for lovers of great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Here, the vines are submersed in clockwork fog and daytime temperature swings, which preserve the natural acidity essential to elegant, age-worthy wines. We work with a handful of the most beloved vineyards from this remarkable wine region considered by many to be the heartland of California Pinot Noir.
Within Russian River Valley, in a town tucked away from the main roads, you’ll find a community ranging from writer to artisan. The town of Graton is an area where local winemakers and growers take a respite and enjoy some of the many popular yet under-the-radar restaurants. During harvest, the little town is full of life and bustling.
