VINEYARD Keefer Ranch, Russian River Valley AVA
CLONES 115, 2A
ORIENTATION North / East
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Goldridge and Josephine loam
FERMENTATION 100% wood
ÉLEVAGE 43% in new French oak for 16 months
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.63
TA 5.63 g/L
AROMA
Striking, with reticent black cherry, blackberry notes, and taut boysenberry fruit that is fresh and precise.
PALATE
Pure and sleek with impressive acidity, serious structure, and a long, layered finish. Seamless.
Planted in 1996 and featuring an array of elite clones, the dry-farmed Keefer Ranch is located in the coolest part of the Russian River Valley, where wind and fog lengthen the growing season and produce one of our most refined and graceful Pinot Noirs. We began working with this site in 2005 in collaboration with the legendary Marcy Keefer.
In the winery, mainly wood fermentation vessels were used to highlight the finesse of Keefer Ranch and allow a substantial amount of elegant extraction to add depth to the overall blend. Striking, with elegantly refined black cherry and blackberry layers, as the wine evolves, it gives way to more taut boysenberry flavors, with notes of crushed Marcona almonds framed by crisp apple skin-like tannins and an age-worthy three-dimensional structure.
Fact of Note: 28 tons of Keefer Ranch fruit was split into 7 separate ferments.
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.
