2004 J Pinot Noir, Robert Thomas Vineyard

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The Vineyards
The Robert Thomas vineyard-designate Pinot noir comes from an exclusive vineyard along the Russian River. This vineyard is one the last to ripen of all of our Pinot’s as it is the farthest west where the coastal influence of fog and cooler temperatures gives it more time to stay on the vine and develop a rich flavor profile.


Processing
Selected grape clusters were hand-harvested, delivered cool to the winery, manually sorted and processed in our open-top fermenters. Our minimalist approach to making Pinot Noirs is designed to yield a wine that reflects, in both aroma and flavor profile, the location in which it was grown.


Aging
The wine was drawn into 100 percent French oak barrels, nearly 35 percent of them new, soon after it was pressed. The malolactic fermentation was completed in the barrels and the wine remained on its lees in barrels for twelve months. Only selected barrels made it to the final blend, bottled in November 2005. Further bottle aging at our cellars is part of J’s commitment to only release wines that are in balance and ready for enjoyment.


Tasting Notes
The richness of this vintage is evident in the aroma with dark cherry, vanilla, violets, and a deep smokiness. These aromas are followed through on the palate, first encircled with the silkiness of this wine and then by the flavors of concentrated cherry, smoky bacon, earth notes, and a hint of dried herbs and nutmeg.


Appellation: Russian River Valley


Harvest: September 2 – September 4, 2004

Final Analysis: Alcohol 14.5% by volume

Bottling Date: November 2005


Production: 1,000 cases