2023 Vintage Wine Notes
The 2023 Vintage is shaping up to be a great vintage. Several key factors influenced the superior quality and reasonable yields.
The wines produced have beautiful flavors,vibrant acidity and remarkable balance.
Weather Conditions: A wet winter and spring rains provided ample moisture pronoting vine growth.
Tempertures were stable without excessive heat.
Quality Indications: Flavors developed early; promoted richness, sugar levels were favorable and not excessive providing balanced wines. Harvest was at a historial average and processed slow but steady.
Chardonnay
Estate - The wines produced from the original vines are now called The Estate Chardonnay. This wine is a blend of the 45-year-old original 257 vines aling with 3 acres of Davis clone 5 and an acre each of Dijon clone 95 and 76.
Meadows - The Meadows Chardonnay is produced from the lowest elevation located contiguous to the Santa Rosa creek. It is 100% dry farmed as the water table is quite high. This wine is produced from a clone that is 100% selection from the Hanzel vineyards.
North Slope- North Slope Chardonnay is produced from a vineyard site that slopes from south to north with a drop of about 35 feet. It is a field blend of Dijon Clone 95 and 76.
Cahill Lane - This Chardonnay is produced from 100% Wente Clone. This Clone is known for its variety of cluster and berry size. This size variation produces flavors that are full bodied and layered.
Cuvee Alyce - Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay is produced from three clones planted in Block 1. That is a selection from Hyde family; a selectin from the Hudson family and Dijon clone 95.
Pinot
Estate -Although all our pinot noir is Estate grown, this offering is produced from a selection from almost all of our vineyards. It is a blend of 5 of our 7 clones which provides laters of flavors. Interestingly, of the 5 clones, different clones dominate the the flavors each year so that each vintage stands on its own.
Cahill Lane - Cahill Lane Pinot Noir is produced from 30-year-old vines and is a selection from three clones: 1500 vines of dijon clone 114; and 1500 vines of a Rochioli selection. The dijon clone 114 tends to lend an herbal sense and the 115 and Rochioli dominate with a black fruit and cherry component.
North Slope - North Slope Pinot Noir is produced from 100% Dijon Clone 115. This is the most fruit forward with loads of black berries and spiced cherries.
South Slope -South Slope Pinot Noir is from the highest elevation, which tends to ripen the earliest. The clone is 100% Dijon clone 777.
Cuvee Alyce - We produce Alyce pinot noir from a blend of Dijon clone 115; Dijon clone 777 and clone 943. The 115 and 777 are 20 years old and planted in a nutrient deficient area of heavy clay. The crop yields are usually under 1 1/2 tons and has been less than a ton as acre in many years. The 943 clone is 5 years old and produces bb sized berries in small tight bunches.
3 Rows - These are our oldest pinot noir grapes at 31 years old. We produce only 50 - 75 cases of this wine each year, yet it tends to be the more flavorful and the most age worthy of all our offerings.