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2005
Pinot Noir
Sonoma Valley
Estate
863 cases
14.4% alcohol
Dijon clones 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777
33% new French oak
10 months in barrel
$35 per bottle
$420 per case
The 2005 Estate Pinot Noir is a nice counterpoint to our 2004. We were able to ripen our small crop slowly and evenly, experiencing our longest hangtime per pound produced in the Ranch's history. This wine has a medium-plus color with a touch more black fruit than in years past. The aromatics have the now traditional high-toned red and orange fruits plus blackberries, cloves and cinnamon. Palate-wise, the berry/cherry combination shows through immediately, uninterrupted by oak or tannin.
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2004
Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast
66 cases
14.7%
Swan clone
33% new French Oak
10 months in barrel
$35 per bottle
$420 per case
The 2004 Sonoma Coast comes from a single site in the far west corner of Sebastopol. Though heat defined most of the 2004 vintage, this site benefited tremendously from its colder, foggier nature and northwest exposure. A mix of red and black fruits with the classic coastal cola/forest floor aromatics, this wine has really blossomed with an extrea year in bottle. The palate is crushed raspberries, cranberries and molasses with baking spice notes and acidity fleshing out the finish.
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2004
Pinot Noir
Sonoma Valley
Estate
1496 cases produced
14.6% alcohol
33% new French oak
10 months in barrel
$32 per bottle
$384 per case
The 2004 Pinot Noir Estate enjoyed the heat of the growing season here on the Ranch. Not only is it one of the most Burgundian Pinot Noirs we have made it is also our most extracted. Compared to earlier vintages, the color is much darker with a deep garnet hue extending to the rim of the glass. Its deep raspberry and cherry liqueur nose is accented by freshly cut hay, underbrush and earth. The middle palate is very sweet with bacon fat and spice box notes turning to crystallized loganberries. The finish is full of ripe spiced plum, black cherry, dark Belgian chocolate and shows great length and grip making this wine a good candidate for some cellar time as well.
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2004
Pinot Noir
Sonoma Valley
Estate Cactus Hill
225 cases produced
14.6% alcohol
Dijon clones 777, 667 and 115
50% new French oak
14 months in barrel
$45 per bottle
$540 per case
In putting together the 2004 Cactus Hill, we leaned heavily on the cooperages that worked successfully with the raw material more than clones that were the strongest for the vintage. Remond came to the forefront in ’04 along with Cadus and Francois Freres. The completeness of clone 667 became the anchor for the blend with 777 adding a nice cola/sassafras spice and 115 providing some additional muscle. The combination of the three clones produces the now classic black tea/cranberry spice that dominates the Pinots from this property.
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