2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Sonoma County


88 Points (2003 Vintage)
Top 100 Values from Around the World for $15 or Less
WINE SPECTATOR, May, 2005
"…the ripe plum and black cherry flavors are up to the task. A hint of lavender and nutmeg adds a tasty dimension, and it’s hard to find a better value in Pinot Noir."
The Vineyards
This is our fifth offering of this extremely popular wine. This wine is comprised of Pinot Noir grapes from our estate vineyards in Carneros, select vineyards near Cotati and the Dutton Ranch in the Russian River Valley. The Sonoma Coast appellation is the largest and coolest in Sonoma County and perfectly suited for Pinot Noir, producing fruit with spectacular color and flavor development due to the lingering, morning fog and cool ocean breezes.

The Vintage
The 2004 growing season got off to an early start, which led to one of the earliest harvest seasons we have seen in 26 years (with some wineries starting harvest as early as July)! We had unusually warm weather in the beginning of March triggering early budbreak. We had a warm Spring and a relatively mild summer, which allowed the grapes to ripen at a slow, steady pace, ideal for Pinot Noir. September heated things up and really accelerated harvest. The heat helped develop tannin and structure, even in this cool appellation. We harvested the grapes 2-3 weeks earlier than usual (September 5th to September 23rd) at an average brix of 25.8.

Winemaking
As usual, we cold soaked the Pinot for 3 days to extract color and flavor. The fermentation was warm in the beginning with frequent pumpovers to obtain maximum extraction. We cooled the must down at the end and pressed off just before full fermentation so that we did not extract harsh seed tannins. Then fermentation was allowed to finish, leaving no residual sugar. After one racking to remove major lees, we re-racked into both new and two-year-old French and Hungarian oak barrels with light lees, similar to the classic Burgundian method of having lees contact for 6 months. In March and April, we employed vigorous battonage (stirring of lees) before racking off the lees in May and June. Assemblage took place in mid-June, and we bottled in mid-July of 2005.
Winemaker's Notes
This wine has a beautiful dark garnet color thanks to a great vintage! The nose is filled with Maraschino cherry and strawberry jam aromatics and hints of toasty oak and classic oriental spice. Concentrated Bing cherry and strawberry compote flavors are present in the mouth. It finishes with lively acidity and soft tannins. This wine is softer, rounder and riper in style than the previous vintage; it is stylistically much like the famed 2001 vintage. Although approachable now, due to the voluptuous warm vintage characteristics, you will be rewarded with even more aromatics and softness if you can allow it to age a year or so.
 
Mark R. Lyon, Winemaker
Technical Data
Appellation: Sonoma Coast Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Cooperage: Aged 6 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels Alcohol: 13.5% by volume
pH: 3.55 TA 0.55 g/100ml
Production: 22,000 cases    

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