Merryvale Pinot Noir Carneros, 2011
| Vintage: | 2011 |
| Wine Type: | Red Wine |
| Varietal: | Pinot Noir |
| Appellation: | Carneros |
| Alcohol %: | 13.5 |
This 2011 Pinot Noir is dark ruby red in color, with violet notes and medium desity. It has aromas of red cherry, cranberry, baking spices, toasted hazelnut, and crushed stone. The palate has a soft, bright entry that is round and perfectly balanced on the mid-palate, and that finishes with delicate length.
2011 was a historically difficult year for Bordeaux red varietals in the Napa Valley, but it was a different story down south in Carneros. Our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir had already gone through bloom when the June rains hit, and were off the vine before the October rain. The moderate temperatures through the growing season led to great natural acidity and wines with terrific balance and complexity.
Hand sorted; 16 days on the skins with a 5 day cold soak; Gently punched down and pumped over; Native and inoculated fermentations, native malolactic; 12 months in French oak (38% new); Bottled unfined and unfiltered
Sourced from vineyards throughout the Carneros appellation, including our Estate Vineyard on the Stanly Ranch, this wine is a blend of our favorite Pinot Noir cones including: Dijon 114, 115, 667, 777, and 828, along with Pommard & Swan. The Dijon clones bring good color, bright focused fruit, and concentration. The Pommard and Swan clones bring nuanced complexity, along with great texture and minerality.