2014 Small Town - MAGNUM

Pinot Noir

SONOMA COASTsonoma county

ALLOCATION LIST: $99.00
RETAIL: $110.00

TASTING NOTES

Our love affair with the foggy Freestone region continues to provide us with both inspiration and challenges each vintage. Such is the glorious and nail-biting fate of winegrowers willing to “live on the edge” in truly cool-climate Pinot country. The cluster of small vineyards we work with are all owned by the Cleary family and this year Michael Valentine vineyard (Mike and Cindy Cleary) shone so brightly that we chose it as the cornerstone for our 2014 bottling.

At 65% of the blend, the vivid 667 clone results in even more acid and structure than vintages past. Crackling with energy and freshness, we’re once again smitten with the results. 15% whole-cluster fermentation further enhances the spicy, savory side of the wine, while bright and juicy red fruit sails across the palate from start to finish. To balance this bracing personality, 40% new French oak and careful selections from both Stiling Vineyard and Roberts Road add mid-palate and texture to the finished wine.

Our low yields out in Freestone, plus rigorous barrel selection for the cuvee resulted in nearly 150 cases less of this wine than last year. So if you are a Small Town Pinot fan, please know that the 2014 won’t be around for long!

DRINKING WINDOWS

Prime drinking: late 2016 through 2021
Graceful ageability: 2022+

VINEYARDS

60% Michael Valentine, 20% Stiling, 10% Cleary Ranch, 10% Roberts Road

CLONES

65% 667, 25% Swan, 5% 115, 5% 777

STATS

pH: 3.58  |  TA: 6.2 g/L  |  Alcohol: 12.9%
Bottling: November 24, 2015  |  Release: Spring 2016
Cases Produced: 234

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