Sour cherry, pomegranate and red raspberry are at the core of this seriously drinkable Pinot Noir. Velvety tannins, a smooth rounded palate and subtle vanilla spice are evidence of well-integrated French and Hungarian oak. A fresh acidity lifts through the finish, making this wine enjoyable to
the last sip.
Vineyard Notes
Fruit for Brassfield Estate Pinot Noir is harvested from three vineyard blocks situated in a west facing box canyon on the valley floor. This location is the coolest site in High Valley. The saddle in the ridge above the vineyard allows cooler air from above Clear Lake to spill down into the blocks, producing Pinot Noir with intense varietal character, notable color extraction, and excellent acid retention. The soil in these blocks is comprised of ancient lakeshore and the fruit is a mix of Dijon clones planted in a northeast and southwest orientation to optimize sun exposure during verasion.
Winemaker Notes
Our 2020 Pinot Noir was harvested at the peak of ripeness in the early morning to retain freshness and acidity. The grapes were fermented in a mixture of stainless-steel tanks and open top oak barrels. Vineyard blocks were kept separate during fermentation to enhance varietal complexity. The wine was then barreled down to undergo malolactic fermentation naturally in our caves. This wine was aged for 18 months with a combination of 25% new French and Hungarian Oak. We lightly fined and filtered this wine before bottling.