The most elegant of our Permanent Collection Pinots, Small Town celebrates the cool Sonoma Coast AVA and is typically sourced from the chilly Freestone region. Lower ripeness levels are the norm here and same goes for the bright and spicy fruit and graceful texture lent to final product. Few other regions of California are as exciting or challenging for grape growing.
Clocking in at a gentle 12.9% alcohol, our 2017 release might sound overly dainty, but that is simply not how we roll. Elegant, to be sure, this bottling nonetheless features structure and depth to match and is another great example of vintage-appropriate balance leading to supreme satisfaction.
There’s an abundance of everything cool climate pinot promises, and oh those gorgeous lifted aromas! Cleary Ranch Vineyard brings the signature crunchy red fruit profile (bright cherry, pomegranate) with black tea and forest floor earthy/spiciness while Michael Valentine and Grand Vent Vineyards lend punchier, darker elements (black cherry and pipe tobacco) to round the whole package out. While the 2016 was densely packed and tightly wound, our 2017 presents itself as a touch softer and more immediately accessible for near-term pleasure.
All of our Freestone region fruit was largely destemmed and split into separate (and long) micro fermentations by clone. Carefully chosen French oak barrels were employed (about 30% new), all dialed in to preserve and showcase these precious raw materials.
DRINKING WINDOWS
Prime drinking: Mid 2019 through 2024 Graceful ageability: 2025+
Direct sales are allocated exclusively to EK Allocation List members at a 10% discount. Orders of 6+ bottles save an additional 50% off shipping. New releases ship twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Join EK Allocation List
CUSTOMIZED ALLOCATIONS
You may customize your spring and fall allocations any way you like, from 0–12 bottles of each wine. (Small-lot and list-only wines will have lower limits.) To modify your allocations, click on MY ALLOCATION above. Join EK Allocation List
REORDERS
Wines often sell out at or close to release, so we encourage making the most of your spring and fall allocations. As long as wine remains, you are welcome to reorder online through our EK Special Order store. Or contact John Gillis at john@erickentwines.com or 415.244.9453.
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