2000 Pinot Noir

2000 Pinot Noir

The 2000 Pinot Noir Hang-time offers aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, a touch of clove, a hint of earth and leather rounded together with toasted French oak. The palate carries a firm structure and fully developed, silky tannins, with an abundance of black fruit and red fruit flavors. The finish, long and complex with appealing natural acidity, is a reflection of the remarkable vineyards that produce Hangtime.

These vineyards are extremely cool, forcing the grapes to take longer than normal to ripen. Naturally, there is a need for extra care in the vineyard to ensure quality under these difficult conditions. The extra "hangtime" from bloom to harvest - up to three weeks longer than other leading appellations - is evidenced in the wine by richer, brighter fruit flavors and an incredibly long, vibrant finish.

The grapes received a three to five day cold soak prior to fermentation to develop color and character. Approximately 20% of the lots were fermented with native yeasts to enhance vineyard expression. Grapes were punched down two to four times a day for maximum extraction. The wine was aged in French oak, including 20% new French oak where it was aged for 1 year before bottling.

Wine Specifications:

100% Pinot Noir

Santa Maria Valley Appellation

pH

TA 6.1 g/l

Alcohol 14.2%

RS 1.4 g/l