2018 Top of Land Pinot Noir
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Fort Ross-Seaview
Vineyard Designation
Fort Ross Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 10-28, 2018
Aging
11 months, 100% French Oak, 40% New
Bottling Date
August, 2019
From our mountain vineyard that overlooks the Sonoma Coast in the Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticultural Area, Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery produces limited quantities of single vineyard, Estate grown, cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinotage. With spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean less than one mile away, the vineyard is divided into 32 separate blocks, one-half to two acres in size, that range in elevation from 1700 down to 1200 feet above sea level. Owners, Lester and Linda Schwartz with their small crew began preparing the 52-acre vineyard in 1994. It took them 4 years of preparation before they could begin planting. The year 2000 marked the first vintage from the Fort Ross Vineyard.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The grapes for this cuvée are sourced from several of the lowest yielding blocks located at the
highest elevations of the Fort Ross Vineyard. This garnet hued wine shows great complexity with floral characteristics and a purity of fruit. Divine aromas of raspberries, black tea, rosehips, and violets are accented by the slightest hint of lavender. The expansive palate captivates with perfumed layers of loganberry, ripe raspberry and juicy plums, supported by soft silky tannins. The Fort Ross Vineyard signature minerality and fresh acidity integrates throughout the lingering finish.
Production Notes
Bottled Unfined & Unfiltered, Clones: Pommard & Swan
Winemaker Notes
The grapes for this Pinot Noir come from the blocks that are planted at the highest elevations in the vineyard. They are handpicked during the cool hours of the night in 2 gallon trays. After hand sorting, the fruit was cold soaked for several days and fermented in a combination of 5 and 10 ton tanks. The caps were punched down 1 or 2 times per day, depending on the stage of the fermentation. The wines were then barreled in a combination of 40% new and 60% neutral French oak. Throughout the 11 months of barrel aging, the clones and different vineyard blocks were kept separate to maintain their distinct flavor profiles and structural components as blending elements.
Production
280 cases produced, Winemaker: Jeff Pisoni
2018 Top of Land Pinot Noir
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Fort Ross-Seaview
Vineyard Designation
Fort Ross Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 10-28, 2018
Aging
11 months, 100% French Oak, 40% New
Bottling Date
August, 2019