Vercingetorix 2009 Pinot Noir Cuvee
100 % Pinot Noir
Vineyard Source: Monks Gate Vineyard, Cherry Grove Vineyard, Bjornson Vineyard, Zenith Vineyard.
Release Date: July 2011
Harvest Dates: October 20, 2009 Brix at Harvest: 21.3
Alcohol: 12.6% TA: 8.8 g/L pH: 3.04 RS: 1.1%
60 cases produced: $32.00 per bottle.
Winemaking: Fully destemmed without crushing into 1.5 ton fermenters. Cold soak was 5-9 days. Fermentation was natural meaning we added no yeast. Fermenters were punched down two to 3 times a day. Peak fermentation temperature was 94 degrees, Total time in fermenter was 17-21 days. Fermenter was drained when all the sugar was fermented (at dryness). Wine was settled for 24 hours before going to barrel, 25% of which were new French oak and the remaining barrels were between 2 and 4 years old (all French). The wine was racked after spending 9 months on its lees, then allowed to age another 9 months before bottling.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of dark red cherries with cinnamon and toasty oak give way to a palate that surprisingly shows darker black raspberry and cherry fruits. The wine is round and generous with sweet spices and earth flavors highlighting the abundant fruit. The finish is long and lush with just a touch of tannin to keep the wine focused.
Food Pairings:
Pairs well with salmon, game, roasted meats.