Liberty Bridge | Paris Mountain | Poinsett | Charles Towne2008 “Liberty Bridge” Pinot Noir, Split Rock Vineyard, Sonoma Coast CaliforniaThe 2008 vintage, our inaugural year, was exceptionally good, with ideal dry and moderate conditions prevailing for most of the season. Split Rock was fortunate to completely avoid the early season frost damage that occurred at many Northern California vineyards. The dry conditions resulted in very low yields with small intensely flavored berries, ideal from the winemaker’s perspective, with great concentration in the wine. A late season heat wave along with the small yield pushed along ripening and we harvested on September 6, 2008, with fully developed fruit and balanced acid levels. This vintage is producing a wonderful, rich, lush, ripe style of wine, exhibiting the black cherry and earth notes typical of the Sonoma Coast and balanced with good acid and tannin levels . Drink now or hold as it will only improve for several years. Don’t wait on the Liberty Bridge Pinot as we made only 50 cases.
Wine score: Wine Enthusiast: 93 2008 “Paris Mountain” Pinot Noir, Lone Oak Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, CaliforniaOur inaugural release of the 2008 Paris Mountain Pinot hits the mark we set. 2008 was a GREAT vintage in the SLH. Dry moderate conditions prevailed, producing small berries and clusters with intense flavors. We had a very long season, avoiding the early season frost that plagued much of northern California and the late season heat spike that ripened fruit elsewhere in early September. The extra long hang time allowed for full maturity and balanced the acid and sugar levels beautifully. This Pinot weight trains at the club but does yoga classes too. Big, intense, complex, but balanced and supple. Fruit forward, with cherry, earth, spice, coffee, cocoa and cola wrapped in smooth velvety tannins. Everything you want Cali style Pinot to be in a very big package. Drink now or hold for awhile. Order now because we only made 25 cases.
Wine score: Wine Enthusiast :90 2007 "Poinsett" Pinot Noir, Hayley Vineyard, Anderson ValleyOur classic Burgundian style Pinot Noir. Really fresh, pure and light on its feet, complex lifted aromatics, great concentrated red fruit flavor profile of raspberries, strawberries and cranberries and a touch of earthiness. Lighter oak (33% new Francois Freres) than most of our other wines lets the bright fruit shine. Nice acidity (will be excellent with food) and beautiful balance. This Pinot tastes like a spring day. With decanting, the flavors deepen and soften remarkably.
Wine score: Wine Enthusiast: 91 2008 "Poinsett" Pinot Noir, La Encantada Vineyard, Santa Rita HillsOur 2008 Burgundian style Pinot. Wild cherry and berry flavors jump out of the glass. The fruit is really fresh and strongly shows the small wild berry quality that this super cool climate vineyard can produce. This wine is really vibrant, has crisp cool climate acidity and the very light use of oak (only 15% new oak) lets other flavors show through. A complex mix of Pinot clones and barrels, including a small amount of the heritage clone called Swan, has produced a wine that drinks very well young but will easily improve for the next 4-5 years.
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Wine Enthusiast: 87 2008 "Charles Towne" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CaliforniaOur 2008 Charles Towne Cabernet Sauvignon was made primarily with fruit from Reverence Vineyard, located in the slightly cooler southern part of Napa Valley. After an early season frost that significantly reduced yield, we then had ideal dry and moderate weather conditions for the rest of the season, allowing for long hang time and ripe full flavors balanced with good acidity. Yields were way down for the vineyard, less than half of the normal harvest. The very low yield resulted in spectacular, concentrated fruit. We harvested between September 15 and October 2, 2008, making numerous passes through the vineyard to ensure we picked each clone and block at the peak moment. We are blending a bit of wine from other mountain and valley Napa vineyards for additional structure and complexity. The wine is big but balanced, with huge dark fruit, lush full bodied mouthfeel and smooth, fine grained tannins. For lovers of ripe, luscious, hedonistic New World style Cab, this is your ticket to ride and it will take you all the way home. A classic vintage that can be enjoyed on release or over the next 5-7 years. Order early as we only made 25 cases. To be released Fall 2010. Harvest: September 20, 2008 |
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