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2005 Pomarium Estate Pinot noir, Sonoma Coast
Tasting Notes
The 2005 Pomarium Estate is a bright, dramatic wine that wildly claims its pinosity. The majority of Pomarium is comprised of Dijon clones 667, 777 and 115 with a little of our favorite block of Calera included to provide chunky bass notes.
Yields were excruciatingly low due to poor set in the spring; in some instances, we only harvested 1/2 ton of Pinot noir per acre. The various lots were picked separately from September 22nd to September 27th and were hand sorted and destemmed, whole berry, in 1 and 3 ton open top fermenters. A 3-day cold soak was followed by a 9 to 16-day fermentation with daily punch downs only, no pump overs. The wine was raised for 11 months in 35% new French oak consisting of François Frères, Ermitage, Cadus, and Damy barriques and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The nose opens with lifted aromas of wild strawberry and jasmine tea. With more time in the glass deeper notes of red cherry and sandalwood fill out the bouquet. The mouth is true to the nose and carries through with bing cherries, lead, and orange peel. The Pomarium is vibrant, attractive and racy with medium weight and a clean finish. If you open one on release, decant for at least 45 minutes and cellar the remaining bottles for 3+ years.
2005 Scallop Shelf Estate Pinot noir, Sonoma Coast
Tasting Notes
As with the lots that went into Pomarium, yields were excruciatingly low due to poor set in the spring. The various blocks were picked separately from September 27th to October 5th and were hand sorted and destemmed, whole berry, in 1 and 3 ton open top fermenters. A 3-day cold soak was followed by a 9 to 16-day fermentation with daily punch downs only, no pump overs. The wine was raised for 11 months in 42% new French oak consisting of François Frères, Ermitage, Cadus, Remond, Damy and Rousseau barriques and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The 2005 Scallop Shelf Estate's nose is concentrated and layered with aromas of dark cherry and plum framed by orange peel. The depth of aromas is truly profound. The mouth has medium to full body with breadth and volume though it is not heavy or cloying. The classic cherry/plum notes come from the predominance of Pommard clone Pinot noir bolstered by tea and spice from clone 115. Clones 777, 828 and the Swan selection round out the palate accenting the cherry core with bright fruit and spice. The wine maintains the crisp acidity and relatively low alcohol that are the hallmark of our vineyard yet delivers a full mouth feel and concentration rare in a wine of this profile. The finish is very long with soft tannins that will subside with aging. Flavors of forest floor, mushroom and dried cherry linger on the palate long after the last sip. The Scallop Shelf is built to last and will develop with bottle age. Drink one now after a 45 minute decant to gauge the style and cellar the remainder for at least 3-5 years and longer.
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