A Pinot that tastes like Pinot. Easy on the use of new French oak to showcase Pinot Noir’s signature fresh cherry and raspberry, our Pinot noir balances new world fruit forwardness with suptle tannins, ample natural acidity and an elegant finish that’s accompanied by an earthy forest floor. Pleasingly drinkable young, with a little beauty sleep in your cellar, this wine will reward you with the depths of its true character.
The Vineyards
Our 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is made from two lots of two different clones from two different vineyards. The Pommard Clone is grown at the Sangiacomo Family’s Roberts Road Vineyard. The Roberts Road Vineyard was planted in 1988 and is ideal for cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Dijon Clone 115 is from the Sangiacomo Family’s Fredrick Vineyard. Fredrick Vineyard, planted in 200 and also home to premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is a slightly warmer site which provides the optimal climatic conditions for Clone 115 to flourish.
The Weather
The weather throughout the Petaluma Gap region during the growing season (Apr-Oct) was slightly warmer and sunnier with higher humidity, compared to the previous 10 year average (2003-2012).
Regional temperatures exceeded 10 year averages with the only “typical” temperatures in April, July and October. Even 2012 and 2009’s warmer than average conditions were surpassed by 2013 temperatures. Solar radiation exceeded historical averages as well as levels seen in 2011 but trailed 2012 and 2009. Only October experienced greater sunlight than 2012 and 2009. Only October experienced greater sunlight than 2012 and 2009.
Humidity levels were higher than average through most of the season with the exceptions of April, May and October. The increased humidity due to marine layers during the height of the growing season surpassed those seen in 2012 and 2009. Wind conditions in our otherwise windy region were slightly diminished compared with previous averages. This, combined with increased humidity levels during summer, required diligent canopy management.