Showing posts with label Pinot Noir Program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pinot Noir Program. Show all posts

Sunday, March 15, 2009

La Cruz Release Heralds New Appellation

We recently released our latest Pinot Noir made exclusively for members of our Pinot Noir Program. The 2007 Pinot Noir - La Cruz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast marks the first wine we have made from this wonderful appellation.

La Cruz Vineyard sits right on the Petaluma River and is comprised of two distinct sections. These sections are further divided into blocks based upon varietal and clone (in the case of Pinot Noir). The upper portion of the site is called the El Coro block and is comprised of very light, infertile soil, while the lower block is alluvial soil from the river...much darker, heavier, and fertile than El Coro. The photograph to the right shows El Coro block soil along with bird netting that is held together by plastic spoons.

In 2006 we harvested only Dijon clone 115 but got it from both vineyard sections. We vinified each section separately then blended them before release. The photo below and to the left shows the distinctly light brown soil of the El Coro Block.

This wine is distinctly different in weight, aromatics, and flavors than any other Pinot we have made. While our main source of fruit (the Santa Lucia Highlands) is generally characterized by dark raspberry fruit notes and significant mid-palate viscosity, the La Cruz wine is much more an amalgam of rose petals, blood orange with a transparency in the mouth that shows off the very clean, expansive acid line of the wine.

In the future we hope to have a couple more sites from this appellation so that we have wines to share both with club members and Tasting Room guests. For the time being, however, if you would like to get a couple of bottles of this wonderful wine, we'd like to invite you to join our club.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Tasting the New Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir

The 2006 Pinot Noir - Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands is a blend of three clones: Martini, 113, and 667 (two Dijon clones). This wine is a gorgeous expression of the earthier, non-fruit aromatics face of Pinot Noir. Made exclusively for members of the Pinot Noir Program at La Rochelle, it will be available to taste for a limited time on our Pinot Noir Flight. Only 130 cases were produced.

Click on the video below for more detailed tasting notes.


Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Tasting the 2006 Pinot Noir - Paraiso Vineyard

The 2006 Pinot Noir - Paraiso Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands has just been released exclusively to members of our Pinot Noir Program. A favorite of La Rochelle guests last year, this new vintage triumphantly carries on the where the 05 left off. Chock full of bright cherry fruit and elegance (hear more detail in our video tasting note below) this wine will be gone very soon.

To be one of the few who will enjoy this gorgeous wine, click here for more information about joining our club.

Click below to hear more.