2007 Biagini Vineyard Pinot Noir: Nancy’s Block
The rugged topography of the Santa Cruz Mountains limits the size of individual vineyards. The costs associated with planting small mountain vineyards limits the overall acreage devoted to grapes in this cool coastal appellation. In 1996, to ensure a continuing supply of high-quality fruit, Clos LaChance’s owners Bill and Brenda Murphy established CK Vines (www.ckvines.com), a vineyard maintenance and installation company specializing in “back-yard” vineyard development throughout the Santa Cruz Mountain appellation.
The Biagini Vineyard, planted in 1998, is assured a long growing season due to the cooling influence of the Monterey Bay during the summer growing season. Owned by San Jose resident Ted Biagini, the vineyard is approximately 11 planted acres. It yields between 2.5 and 3 tons per acre. There are four clones planted in the Biagini Vineyard including 113, 114, 115 and Mt. Eden.
This special bottling of Pinot Noir was made in memory of Nancy Biagini, who loved her vineyard and the grapes grown within.
Winemaking
After being hand-harvested, the grapes were immediately brought to the winery where they were hand-sorted and destemmed. They were allowed to cold soak before being fermented on the skins in open-top fermentors. The grapes were punched down 2-3 times per day through the peak of fermentation. When primary fermentation was complete, the wine was drained and pressed off the skins directly to barrel to finish malolactic fermentation. It was aged sur-lie for 12 months in French oak barrels. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes
Fairly concentrated purple hues for a Pinot Noir. Aromas of strawberry, rhubarb, graham and sweet cherries. Hints of wet forest floor. Flavors of bright cherry fruit, strawberries and cola. The mid palate holds strong with sweet plums and finishes nicely with an earthy component and a hint of spice.
