2007 PINOT NOIR - RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY / HALLBERG DIJON CLONES

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.

2007 was another example of our region’s remarkable consistency. The short rainy season with less than usual amounts of rain, coupled with the warm spring temperatures led to an early bud break. Subtle spring heat spikes and wind conditions contributed to varying degrees of “shatter” in the vineyard. “Shatter” is when flowers bloom on the vine but don’t get pollinated, thus preventing their development into berries. This shatter, together with the previous year’s large yields, led to a relatively light crop which in turn resulted in smaller berries showing very intense flavor and great color. Once bud break occurred, our weather steadied, making for near perfect ripening conditions which lasted all the way through harvest. It certainly appears that the 2007 vintage from the Russian River Valley will turn out to be one of significant depth and concentration.

The 2007 Hallberg Dijon Clones Pinot Noir shows a dark ruby color with medium plus intensity and clear clarity in appearance. The developing nose shows medium intensity with aromas of raspberry, cranberry, alpine strawberry and ripe pie cherry. The palate shows medium acidity, tannin, body and flavor intensity with additional notes of dark chocolate, black tea, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg framing the red fruits. The soft, juicy red fruits, medium acidity and supple, fine-grained tannin scream for roast pork, fowl or poultry.