Our 4th vintage of this “winery only” Estate bottling yielded one of our best to date. 2011 was a very long, cool growing season that allowed the fruit […]
Read More| TA | 0.63g/100mL |
|---|---|
| pH | 3.44 |
| Alc. | 13.7% |
| Sugar | residual sugars... |
| Barrel Description | 50% new, 50% 1-year-old |
|---|---|
| Barrel Aged | 20 months |
Our 4th vintage of this “winery only” Estate bottling yielded one of our best to date. 2011 was a very long, cool growing season that allowed the fruit to mature evenly. A field blend of 18 Pinot Noir clones that were aged in 50% Francois Frères & 50% Marcel Cadet French oak barrels for 20 months. There is a bouquet of ripe cranberry, boysenberry, fresh Morel mushrooms, Asian spice and sandalwood. A very textural wine with rich dark red berry flavors that have liqueur like depth and concentration fill out the mouth. Big spicy tannins from the use of 38% whole clusters during the fermentation, add to the vibrant, mouth-watering juicy finish. This wine shows great depth and balance for extended aging and I believe that patience will be rewarded.
The 2011 vintage was marked by another cool year that produced wines with tremendous purity and depth. Similar in many ways to 2010 – without the extremes – it had very low yields and below average cooler weather. But, the growing season in 2011 was much more consistent with gentle warming days and very cold summer nights. As a consequence, the vintage produced wines with incredible purity, remarkable acid and tannin balance, while expressing the uniqueness of each individual site and region. The winter months brought abundant rainfall and kept the soil moist and cold.Bud break was delayed until the last week of March. Cool and overcast spring weather allowed for a slow growth cycle of the vines and likewise delayed flowering by a week to ten days. It rained several times at the end of May and early June, which affected the berry set and shattered many clusters — up to 20% of the berries on a cluster did not set. The rain also created protracted flowering and therefore a wider range of berry maturity. This type of flowering is similar to what typically happens in coastal vineyards. With a wide range of berry development with respect to flavor and tannin, the resultant wines exhibit a tremendous amount of depth and complexity. The cool spring gave way to beautiful and mild weather in early summer and the lighter crop was able to mature at an even pace. In late August, the fog rolled in a little heavier than normal, which slowed down ripening a small amount. Harvest commenced on September 7th, and continued at an even pace until the remainder of the grapes were harvested just prior to the early October rains. Overall, yields were down in almost every vineyard – almost 25% lower in some cases. The 2011 vintage may initially be remembered for the lower yields, but it will be defined by some incredibly site-driven and expressive wines. The signature of this vintage is one where the wines have bright fruit qualities, sound acidities and elegant tannin profiles. It is truly a vintage worth seeking.
All Our WinesVisit our wine library to find a specific bottle or peruse our full collection.
How To PurchaseOur wines are available twice a year for purchase.
Visit The WineryArrange a private tour and tasting tailored specifically for you.
2011 Papera Vineyard Zinfandel