Monticello Vineyards
2008 Monticello Vineyards Estate Grown Pinot Noir
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Print: Tasting Notes
Our Estate Grown Pinot Noir is produced from grapes that we grow in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. This region of Napa Valley provides a cool climate from which we produce Pinot Noir grapes that are lush with abundant rich fruit flavors.
This wine has nice gentle expressions of lighter red berries, cola, cinnamon and hints of leather on the nose. I find the mix of aromas very appealing. On the palate the wine has a nice smooth texture but maintains just a slight streak of acidity which helps balance the wine. The flavors of berries and cola continue through on the palate. The finish reveals nicely balanced tannins which linger. Drink Now through 2015.
– Chris Corley, Winemaker -
Vineyard:
Home Ranch Vineyard – Blocks II, III – Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District
Block II is planted to Dijon Clone #777; Block III is planted to Dijon Clones #667, #777, #113, #115. Each
clone possesses its own individual character: bright fruit aromatics and flavors in one and darker aspects in
another, fuller mouth-feel with firmer tannins, while another had a silkier texture. Overall our Pinot Noir is characterized with lush berry flavors and bright fruit.
These grapes were hand-harvested September 1st and 2nd of 2008. After carefully sorting through the fruit, we crushed the grapes to a stainless steel tank. The tank chillers were set at 75˚F, which correlates to a cap temperature of about 85˚F. This is about 5 degrees cooler than we typically peak our Pinot Noir. I also used a slow fermenting yeast strain to promote a more moderate fermentation in the interest of maintaining as much aromatic complexity as possible. The must was gently pumped over twice a day early in the fermentation, and then once a day and for shorter durations in the latter half of the fermentation. The grapes were pressed at dryness after 12 days on the skins.
Oak – 16 Months in French Oak, 35% New
Alcohol - 14.2% - Penne alla Alberoni