2009 EnRoute Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, “Les Pommiers”

Third Vintage

 

 

Vineyard Description
The 2009 EnRoute Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, “Les Pommiers” is our third vintage and the second to include fruit from two of our own Russian River Valley vineyards. We acquired our Graton Vineyard in Green Valley as an abandoned apple orchard and groomed the site specifically for EnRoute. We are thrilled with the quality of the fruit coming from this site, which grows on the region’s famous Goldridge soils. Pommard 5, Mt. Eden, Swan, 2A and Dijon clones 115 and 777 are planted on 101-14 rootstock with 4 x 7 spacing in this vineyard. Our Amber Ridge Vineyard is located on rolling terrain in the upper Middle Reach area of the Russian River Valley. Planted with bilateral vertical trellising, the clonal mix includes Pommard 5, Calera and Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777 using 101-14 rootstock to limit vigor. Manzana Vineyard continues to play an important role in the Les Pommiers blend, with its hillside fruit planted in Green Valley to Dijon clones 114, 115 and Pommard 5. A small contribution of Sonoma Coast fruit rounds out the blend.

 

Harvest Notes
The 2009 growing season started off with a slightly early budbreak and temperate spring weather. The summer was warm and mild with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s and cool nights, without any heat spikes near harvest. This allowed the fruit to ripen evenly and benefit from some extra “hang time” on the vines to concentrate flavors. Harvest was based on flavor development as each of the vineyards’ microclimates ripened the fruit at different times.

 

Sensory Evaluation
The 2009 Les Pommiers offers aromatics of black cherry, raspberry and plum, balanced by floral and perfume notes and a hint of minerality. Beautifully textured red fruit upon entry progress into a coating and layered midpalate with complex berry flavors. Lush tannins are balanced by vibrant acidity to create a lengthy finish.

 

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