2016 The Barrel Climber - 24 bottles found in cellar

Pinot Noir

SONOMA COASTsonoma county

ALLOCATION LIST: $58.50
RETAIL: $65.00

ALLOCATION LIST ONLY BOTTLING

Tasting Notes

Once again, Cleary Ranch in the chilly Freestone district graced us with some truly compelling, cool-climate Pinot that we had to bottle almost completely on its own. Ever the heart of our Small Town Pinot blend, we peeled off one custom-built puncheon (roughly a double-sized barrel) and bottled a mere 52 cases of this exquisite cool-climate juice. We’ve already jealously hoarded our own stash, and with allocations already lined up, we have a scant 14 cases remaining!

Don’t be fooled by the low alcohol and delicate color, this Pinot cuts like a laser. Located near the Pacific coast, Cleary Ranch can struggle to ripen, but when it does the results are stunning – Burgundy-inspired in structure and persistence, simultaneously juicy and nervy, celebrating California fruit while closing with classic Cleary spice and forest floor. We could go on for hours, but we won’t. This is one you won’t want to miss!

DRINKING WINDOWS

Prime drinking: late 2018 — 2023
Graceful ageability: 2024 — 2026

VINEYARDS

90% Cleary Ranch, 10% Stiling Vineyard

CLONES

90% 115, 10% Swan

STATS

pH: 3.6  |  TA: 6.3 g/L  |  Alcohol: 13.5%
Bottling: January 18, 2018  |  Release: Fall 2018
Cases Produced: 52

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