2006 Sonoma Mountain Red Dog Vineyard Pinot Noir – September 2008 Release Location: The Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir comes from a vineyard situated atop Sonoma Mountain, a mere 17 miles from the ocean. Its exposure to the cool breezes off the Pacific Ocean combined with the elevation make it our coolest site. The vineyard was planted for us in 2000 by Tom and Debbie Engel. Clone and Culture: The clone is a field selection from the Joseph Swan vineyard. The vines are drip irrigated with a permanent cover crop utilized to minimize soil erosion and for balancing vine vigor. Vigor is low. Soils: Soils are ancient alluvials that have been leached of nutrients over the eons as this is an early geological uplift. Winemaking: The grapes are gently destemmed, but with some slight crushing, 12% whole cluster, small open top fermentations, 7 days of maceration after fermentation (16 days total contact time with skins), pressed into 60% new French oak, racked once by gravity or with inert gas. We admire the Sonoma Mountain Pinot for its exotic high-note aromas of sage, violets, and dried roses. The 2006exhibits some of the characteristic aromas at release, but is loaded with lush fruit and chewy tannins. It is the most ageable of the Pinots we produce. 275 cases produced.