2004 Raye's Hill Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir •

We have nurtured these vines for eight years and have watched them mature from two-leafed twigs in 4" pots to fully developed vines. These are our babies. Our 2± acre vineyard is perched 200 feet above the valley floor on gentle south-facing slopes. The vines rely on the early morning fog drip and underground springs that abound on our hill for almost all their water. The combinations of very limited watering and early thinning during the growing season produce very low yields: 1.2 tons per acre in 2004. The early water deprivation produces small berries that deliver intensely flavored ripe fruit. This ripe fruit is cold soaked for three days, then yeast is added and the grapes are fermented in open top bins. Next they are gently pressed and aged in French Oak barrels for 16 months. The 2004 harvest was the seventh for our vines.

Our vineyard has produced a wine that has dark garnet color and aromas of plum and cherry. This is a jammy Pinot with intense red fruit flavors and a long smooth finish.

105 cases produced

Technical Stuff

Alcohol 14.6%
pH 3.58
TA 0.591
VA 0.071


Clones

Pomard 75%
667 25%