Spring Release Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
1999

Winemaker’s Notes

We are particularly excited about our 1999 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and believe this, our fourth release, to be our finest effort to date. A true product of the harvest season, this wine encapsulates what can be achieved with moderate yields from mature, non-irrigated vines – a wine of stunning concentration, natural fruit sweetness, bold tannins and extract. The color is an extracted deep ruby red with garnet hints. The explosively aromatic nose is accented with complex aromas of licorice, black cherry and Asian spices, offset by high-tone notes of rosehip tea, smoke and dry herbs. The palate displays an abundant concentration of black cherry and plum with background flavors of leather, smoked meats and violets. The broad, lush mouth feel and weighty texture create an impression of softness, which is balanced by rich fruit tannins, providing plenty of grip to a lingering finish. Approachable and generous now, we believe this well-balanced, extracted wine will significantly evolve over the next four to six years into a wine of further complexity and concentration. This natural wine was neither fined nor filtered and may therefore throw a sediment with age.

Andy Smith Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner