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2008

Pinot Noir

Ulises Valdez Vineyard,
Russian River Valley

As exuberant a pinot noir as you will find from the Russian River Valley, this release from Ulises Valdez's Laguna Road vineyard is seductive with aromas of wild blackberry, pomegranate and clove. Velvet-textured and complex, the palate explodes with black cherry and kirsch, revealing subtler undertones of cola, earth and cedar as it opens in the mouth. Well-integrated oak weaves firm tannins with spice for a lasting finish. Alcohol 14.7%

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94 points
Wine Advocate

92 points
Wine Spectator

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Harvest Date September 7

Growing Season 2008 began with an exceptionally dry spring and early budbreak. Frosts in April significantly lowered cluster counts. Weather stabilized and warmed through summer, with warmer temperatures continuing through harvest. A smaller crop of high quality fruit was able to ripen fully and evenly, developing an excellent balance of sugars and acid. Overall, the 2008 wines are bright and expressive with well-articulated flavors.

Winemaking

• Hand-harvested grapes
• Fermented in small, open-top stainless steel fermentors with indigenous yeasts
• 5 day cold soak, 16 days total maceration
• Hand-punched cap
• Concurrent, spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels
• Aged 15 months in French oak barrels; 67% new
• Unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2010