2016 Pommard Clones ~ Pinot Noir ~ Russian River Valley ~ 750 ml

Tasting Notes

The Pommard Clones blend can be surprisingly different year to year. There is always a lush aspect because it's the Pommard clone, but some years it is more elegant and light-bodied. 2016 isn't one of those years. This is more of a “velvet vise” vintage. The deep garnet colored wine has a brooding – yet completely inviting – dark fruit and cola nose with some spicy oak notes lingering as the wine opens. The palate is a heady blend of concentrated and juicy dark cherry and raspberry coupled with cola and shadowy savory notes as the wine gets air. There is oak, but it is notably well-integrated, especially for such a young wine. The mouthfeel is lush with a wonderful infusion of refreshing acidity. Really, really good.

Production Notes

616 cases

Winemaker Notes

We’re still doing it! Not many California winemakers produce single-clone wines, and this one consistently shines as one of the best wines we produce. Our Pommard Clones, which was the first clone growing in the Russian River Valley, release comes from a variety of vineyards in the Russian River Valley, including Leras Family Vineyards off Woolsey Road, Bucher Vineyards on Westside Road and Peters Vineyard just outside of Sebastopol, and they are always special. Each has the great characteristics of the Pommard Clone; deep flavors with rich mouth feel, and vibrant flavors unique to each site. While at first blending them was an experiment, we were so pleased with the results that we hand select the best barrels each year from each lot and bottle them.

Cooperage Notes

11 months in Francois Fréres French Oak, 70% new, 30% 1-2 year old