VINEYARD Gap’s Crown Vineyard
CLONES 667, 115, Swan, 828, 114
ORIENTATION North/East
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Goulding Cobble Loam, Raymor Clay, Seeped Loam
FERMENTATION 86% stainless steel, 14% concrete, 10% whole cluster
OAK 43% new French oak for 16 months, 15% concrete for 3 months
ALCOHOL 14.4%
pH 3.6
TA 5.71 g/L
AROMA
Deeply fruity, with blueberry and blackberry pie over a subtle backdrop of honeycombs and French oak.
PALATE
Instantly irresistible with mouthwatering tension evolving to a balanced, focused finish.
Gap’s Crown is considered by many to be one of the best representations of what the Petaluma Gap AVA, the southern component of Sonoma Coast, is all about. Since we began working with this site in 2006, its meteoric rise into the pantheon of great Pinot Noir vineyards has been extraordinary.
Sweeping vineyards with dramatic elevation changes and clonal variety define this exemplary site. Each year, this Pinot Noir dazzles with its stunning purity and lush flavors—and 2018 is no exception. From its mouthwatering tension to its seductive, flowing flavors of blueberry, blackberry pie, and honeycomb, this is classic Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. To capture the site’s vibrancy, the majority of the wine was fermented in stainless steel, with a small portion aged in concrete to enhance the wine’s irresistible mouthfeel.
Fact of Note: Small portion was concrete aged to enhance mouthfeel and freshness.
THE SONOMA COAST, WHICH OVERLAPS with the Russian River Valley and stretches all the way to the windswept edge of the Pacific Ocean, has emerged as a hub for cool-climate wines. The vineyards are planted using the finest modern clones and viticultural techniques and have rapidly earned the region acclaim for producing some of the world’s most extraordinary Pinot Noirs.
A deserving pitstop along the Sonoma Coast is the picturesque town of Bodega. Made famous by Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” this little town is also known for incredible food from talented chefs focused on local, seasonal brilliance.
