Varietal

100% Pinot Noir

Winemaker's Notes

With the overwhelming success of our Pommard Clones, we have decided to continue down this “clonal” path with this Pinot Noir consisting of only that delicious clone, 777. This wine is made from grapes harvested out of several of our favorite vineyards; the Leras Family Vineyard, Peters Vineyard, Windsor Oaks, and Saralee’s Vineyard. Having all these vineyards blended together allows us to create a complete, full-bodied wine out of only one clone. Each vineyard provides an element of flavor that makes this one of the best wines we have ever produced. As with all of our Pinot Noir, we cold-soaked the grapes for three to four days and then introduced select yeasts. Once fermentation began, we hand-punched the must in open-top fermenters at least four times a day to keep the temperature and oxygen at the right levels for the yeast to remain active. Once fermentation was over, the wine was gently pressed and aged for 11 months in François Frères oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

Bright medium ruby red color. The wine opens with a seductive draw of black fruits, spice, licorice, cola and hints of smoke. It is medium bodied with a smooth, rich mouthfeel with blackstone fruit flavors, cola and cinnamon on the palate. The 777 shows a good intensity and depth of sweet black cherry fruit and spice flavors through a lovely long finish with smooth tannins. Drink now through 2012.

Clone

777

Appellation

Russian River Valley

Harvest Date

9/8-21/07

Harvest Brix

23.9°-24.5°

Alcohol

14.5%

Total Acid

0.618g/100ml

pH

3.7

Residual Sugar

Dry

Cooperage

11months in François Frères French oak, 80% new, 20% 1 and 2-year-old barrels

Bottled

8/21/2008

Release Date

Spring 2009

Production

313 cases/750 ml

Winemaker

Ben Papapietro

Price: 750ml

$70

Price: Magnum

$150

Availability: 375ml

NO

Availability: 750ml

SOLD OUT

Availability: Magnum

YES

Tasting Notes (PDF)

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