VINEYARD Marshall, Gap’s Crown, Thorn Ridge, Kanzler, Balletto Burnside, Balletto Watertrough
FERMENTATION 77% stainless steel open tops, 12% concrete open tops, 5% wood open tops, 4% foudre, 4% whole cluster
OAK 35% new French oak for 16 months, 7% concrete tank for 5 months, 1% wood tank for 5 months
ALCOHOL 14.4%
pH 3.57
TA 5.47 g/L
AROMA
Alluring notes of blackberry, blueberry, and rich raspberry.
PALATE
Bold entry, followed by great tension, focus, a malleable structure, and a long finish.
With idyllic weather from start to finish, 2018 was one of the finest growing seasons of the past decade. Each wine within the Appellation Series embodies the unique qualities we cherish from the regions we work with.
The Sonoma Coast appellation overlaps with that of the Russian River Valley in many places and is similarly shaped by the ocean. Local geology can be complex here, a direct result of being located on the intersection of two tectonic plates. For this wine, we find ourselves drawn to vineyards that are particularly influenced by the Pacific Ocean and are fortunate to work with some spectacular sites. Together, they form a singular wine that is distinctively Sonoma Coast.
The vineyards we source from lie in both the southern portion of the appellation and in the northern true coastal zone. In the southern area, the Petaluma Wind Gap and the San Pablo Bay drive cooler temperatures and provide us with deep flavors and richly textured wines. The vineyards from the coastal reaches contribute savory and spice characteristics that we love as well as great structure and poise. This year, the cooler sites such as Marshall and Balletto were able to have long hang times and were the last to be picked. The fruit had excellent development of tannins and dark, rich fruit profiles. Blackberry and raspberry complemented the great depth and long finish.
Fact of Note: Cooler sites had long hang times and were picked last.
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.
