2008 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley / Hallberg Dijon Clones
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Vineyard
The 100-acre Hallberg Vineyard is named for previous owners Don and Marcia Hallberg and today owned by a small group of investors headed by Brice Jones, formerly of Sonoma Cutrer. The vineyard is meticulously farmed by Kirk Lokka, also a veteran of Sonoma Cutrer, and the commitment to quality of the current owners coupled with the site’s exceptional soils give this property boundless potential.
WINEMAKING NOTES
The 2008 growing season was a roller coaster year. It began with dry warm weather that started vines growing early. Then there were freezing temperatures during the spring (down to 23 degrees F. in some areas of Sonoma County) causing some damage due to frost, followed by excessive heat and high wind during bloom.
Thereafter we had slightly above average temperatures, followed by slightly below average temperatures all summer long. From a winemaking perspective, the dry growing season produced the benefit of inducing "moderate stress" on the vines, which limited growth of the canopy and focused the vines' energy on the grapes.
The smaller berries with the slightly lighter crop combined to produce beautiful concentrated fruit flavors.
TASTING NOTES
The 2008 Hallberg Dijon Clones Pinot Noir shows a dark ruby color with medium plus intensity in appearance. The developing nose shows medium intensity with aromas of dried cranberry, sweet red cherry, rhubarb, dried herbs and exotic spices. The palate shows medium acidity, tannin, body and flavor intensity with additional earthy notes of beets, dried mushrooms and tea. The soft, juicy fruits, zesty acidity and supple, fine-grained tannin scream for roast pork, fowl or poultry.
TECHNICAL NOTES
AVA: Russian River Valley
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Harvested: September 6, 2008
Bottled: December 9, 2009
Cases Produced: 289
Lab Analysis: 14.6% alcohol, 3.56pH, 6.70 gm/L acidity
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Retail Price: $60