2003 J Pinot Gris, Russian River Valley

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The Vineyards
The 2003 J Pinot Gris is a wonderful blend of 100% Pinot Gris fruit from Sonoma County vineyards: our own Cooper and River Road Vineyards, the famed Saralee’s Vineyard, Greene, Webber, and Preston Vineyards which all help to blend and build the complexity of this wine.

Processing
Whole grape clusters were hand-harvested, then pressed gently in J’s Coquard press. This uniquely gentle press minimizes the extraction of harsh components from the skins of the grapes. Free-run juice and press fraction juices were fermented separately.

Ageing
Twenty-five percent of the juice was fermented and aged in 60-gallon French oak barrels. Partial malolactic fermentation was carried-out on about 25% of the juice (the juice in barrel). The remaining juice was fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the fruit character of the wine.

Tasting Notes
Fruit-forward with a crisp acidity, the 2003 Russian River Valley Pinot Gris shows tangerine, cantaloupe, and tropical fruit blended with floral notes of orange blossom, jasmine and vanilla. The palate is lush, harmoniously balancing fruit flavors with light spice and a refreshing acidity. The finish offers lingering citrus, white peach and vanilla components.

The 2003 J Pinot Gris is a wonderful accompaniment to many types of cuisine, but we highly recommend it matched with Asian inspired dishes, as well as, most spicy Pacific Rim cuisine.

Harvest: August 28 – September 23, 2003

Harvest Analysis: Average sugar 22° Brix

Final Analysis: Alcohol 13.4% by volume

Bottling Date: January 19-23, 2004

8,400 cases produced