2006 J Vin Gris

Return to Current Releases

The Vineyards
Our first-ever vintage of J Vin Gris is a dry rosé style wine made entirely of Pinot Noir fruit. It is an elegant composition sourced from our estate vineyards as well as from selected growers in the Russian River Valley appellation.

Processing
The J Vin Gris was made by using the French saignée method. After the cold soak, 10% of the pinot noir juice was gently "bled" from the Pinot Noir tanks before the fermentations begin. The drained juice was then fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures without the tannic influence of the skins and seeds to retain the crisp acidity of this tantalizing and delightful summer wine. The soft, feminine color of this wine is the result of being in contact with the skins for a few hours.

Aging
The juice was then processed like our Chardonnay, except that a portion was placed into small French oak barrels and was allowed to ferment dry, and the rest was fermented and aged in neutral oak casks and went through a partial malolactic fermentation. After five months of barrel aging, an early bottling captured all the freshness that this wine has to offer.

Tasting Notes
With a bright, sunny color reminiscent of the south-of-France, the Vin Gris teases with strawberry, rhubarb, and lime peel aromas and delicate notes of rose petals. The nose segues into mouthwatering flavors of cranberry, strawberry and raspberries. Dry and extremely refreshing, the wine has just enough acidity to cleanse the palate, beckoning another sip.

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Harvest Dates: September 10 - 22, 2006

Final Analysis: Alcohol 14.6% by volume

Residual Sugar: 0.15 %

Bottling Date: April 2007
745 cases produced