2008 Renteria Pinot Noir Russian River
In Stock
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard: 100% River Ranch (Vimark), Russian River Valley
Harvest Date: September 12, 2008
Brix at Harvest: 24.3
Finished pH: 3.77
Finished TA: 5.53 g/l
Alcohol: 14.1%
Cooperage: 36% New French Oak (Burgundy Barrels)
Winemaker: Karen Culler
Production: 610 cases
Release Date: Summer 2011
Suggested Retail: $40.00 per Bottle
VINEYARD: The Vimark Vineyard is located in an excellent Pinot Noir site in Russian River, an area of Sonoma known for producing beautiful Pinot Noirs. The vineyard is located near the Russian River north of Forestville, and it receives all the benefits of the river, cool temperatures, fog, and alluvial soil with excellent drainage. This vineyard tends to ripen later and evenly, the reason for the soft tannins. The Renteria block is planted to clones 115 and 777 and was planted in 1998.
VINTAGE: In 2008 winegrowers met the challenges of a crazy weather year. It began with intense storms that brought high winds and heavy rains to the region. Then spring was the driest on record, ending with 60% of normal rainfall. Cold temperatures and frost threats held on for more than three weeks in the spring. Then, within the same week, vineyards were hit with a multi-day heat spike that brought early season temperatures into the triple digits. This resulted in fewer clusters with smaller berries. Later, a week-long heat spell over the Labor Day holiday ratcheted everyone into high gear. Then, just as quickly as the heat arrived, temperatures dropped to well below normal. The red varieties languished on the vine with optimal hang time, excellent ripening and balanced structure.
TASTING NOTES: Russian River Pinot Noirs are beautiful wines; this one is more Burgundian than our other Pinots, characterized by a soft, velvety, and very lush mouthfeel. Our 2008 is typical of this appellation with a mouthwatering structure that lingers on the palate with a long finish and softness. Both complex and integrated, it is a very pretty wine. It has an elegance that is both refreshingly tart and subtle on the palate. The aroma is full of red raspberries and toasted nuts. This Pinot drinks well early on and should have a life of 8 to 10 years.