2008 DZ Vineyard Pinot Noir
download PDFTasting Notes
Bursting with dark fruit aromas of plum, black cherry and cassis; this wine is fresh and attractive; straightforward and rewarding. Our most rustic wine on the palate, it has a chewy texture and flavors of ripe stone fruits, toasted bread and tobacco. A balanced acid backbone and affirming tannins lend to a long and delicious finish. Drink now or cellar up to 3 years.
Vineyards
The DZ vineyard is located west of Sebastopol,CA on the Sonoma Coast AVA. Clone selections of 777, 667, 115 and Pommard make this a true field blend of younger and more established 10 year old vines. Flowers cultivates and farms this unique Pinot Noir site with Dan and Linda Zaich.
Harvest
September 10, 2008
Winemaking
Fruit was rigorously hand sorted and fully destemmed with no crushing. Moderate cold soaks (4-5 days), warm fermentations (85-90° F), and minimal punchdowns (twice a day or less) were done this year in order to adapt to what nature gave us. Total skin contact ranged from 11-18 days with all fermentations being carefully basket pressed and put to barrel on full fermentation lees for ML. Racking was minimal with only one assemblage being done in the spring to allow the blend to "marry" in barrel for a few months before bottling. Mostly native yeast and ML with only small lots conducted using cultured burgundy isolates.
Cooperage and Aging
100% French oak; 40% new.
Total time in barrel: 17 months
Bottling
February 2010; 290 cases produced.
Final bottling technical information
- pH: 3.42
- TA: 0.62 g/100 ml
- Alcohol: 14.1%
Release Date
Spring 2010