
Nestled
amongst a few original stands of giant Redwood trees,
over 1000 feet in elevation is the Horseshoe Bend
Vineyard, the site of our newest Pinot Noir. Another
special place here in Sonoma County out near the
coast, almost to the Pacific Ocean!. The weather is
around 10 degrees cooler than even our own Russian
River Vineyard, but because of the elevation it sits
above the famous Russian River fog. This contrast of
cooler, yet in constant sun makes an ideal site for
Pinot Noir. Notice the deep color of the wine, very
dark for Pinot Noir, but then leading you into a
beautiful floral aroma that opens up to boysenberry
and brown spice. In the mouth it is silky and full, -
mouth coating – then finishes with the clean, lively
acidity that is one of the signature traits of our
wines – that backbone that makes them so food friendly
and also so age worthy in the cellar. This one will
pay some big rewards for those of you that lay some
away in the cellar. The 2007 vintage here in Northern
Cal was one of the best I have seen in my 20 years of
winemaking (yes, I know - hard to convince myself I am
still 26 when my first year working in the vineyards
and wineries of Sonoma County was 1989) The weather
was moderate and consistent and the wines are all
bold, yet still balanced and beautiful – they are
drinkable early, yet stylish and structured to cellar
as well – this will be a vintage we all admire and
talk about for years to come.