2011 Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
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Wine Specs
Vintage
2011
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Vineyard Designation
Bacigalupi Vineyard
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
This is a stylish and persistent red. The nose of this Pinot Noir has seduced me since it first became wine in the cellar. Loaded with allspice, rose water and black cherries, the abundant, aromatic fruit in this wine is profound, plush and exotic! I can only imagine how more time in the bottle will further round this wine. The palate shows brooding black fruit with a full, round mouth-feel. The oak on the palate is focused but not frontal as is the tannin texture which produces a fine glide and a minute of distance in the finish. As a Cabernet maker at heart, I’m still in awe by the varietal generosity of Pinot Noir, however light in appearance. It is an amazing and noble varietal that is easily addictive.
Vineyard Notes
Planted in 1956, the Bacigalupi family has some of the oldest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir plantings in the Russian River Valley. To walk this property is to walk through a slice of history. Many a great winemaker before me has sought out this prestigious vineyard designation and we are thrilled with our small portion of it. Comprised of 100% “Wente Clone,” the Bacigalupi Vineyard fashions Pinot Noir with a round, sophisticated and composed weight and character. Yields in 2011 were light at about 1.8 tons per acre. The vineyard’s soil type consists of a light brown gravely loam with wonderful air permeation and water drainage. Harvest took place mid season in the Russian River on September 24th, with average degrees Brix of 26.8.
Production Notes
The fruit was hand sorted and de-stemmed into small, open top fermenters. Adhering to Burgundian tradition and practices, the grapes in the small fermenters were cold soaked for 7 days until native yeast fermentation began. “Punchdowns,” or the mixing of the fruit during fermentation for proper extraction, was all by hand to not allow broken or split berries. The wine was carefully pressed after 14 days, followed by native malolactic fermentation in 50% new Francois Ferres barrels. The cooperage produces tight grain, 3 year air dried barrels for us and there the wine rests, undisturbed, for a total of 14 months until put to bottling tank. This wine is bottled straight, neither filtered nor fined.
Winemaker Notes
100% Pinot Noir
Production
275 Cases Produced
Hans
(Apr 9, 2013 at 6:08 PM)
Just got back from Venge and my good friends joined the wine club. They just received this today and brought it over to share. Truly wasn't too excited when I realized it was a Pinot, since I'm a cab lover at heart. And, I was even less excited as I poured it in my glass and I felt like I could see right through it. However, I was pleasantly surprised as the velvety fruit passed over my palate. The depth and complexity made me want to check the bottle and make sure I wasn't drinking my first love. Although the fruit dominated my palate initially, the finish was long and full of depth. The experience was very pleasant yet sophisticated.