Manzoni 2004 Estate Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes:
Pinot Noir offers something for everyone and our Estate vintage is enjoyable and approachable in every glass. Bright cherry and lavender accentuate the nose while some spice and red fruits are detected in the flavor. Medium-bodied in style, this wine pairs well with lighter foods, especially chicken and white fish.

Vineyard Notes:
Our Vineyard is located in the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation of Monterey County just west of the town of Gonzales. Our Estate Pinot is a blend of three French clones; Pommard 5 from the Cote de Beaune and Dijon clones 115 & 777. All three are known for their contribution to the great reds of Burgundy.

Vintage Notes:
The early part of March surprised us all with 13 consecutive days above 80 F causing bud break to occur early in all varieties. After this heat spell broke we entered a period of four months of below average temperatures, slowing maturation in the vineyards to a snails pace. Mother Nature changed her mind in the first week of September with unseasonable high temperatures for the remainder of harvest. As a result, harvest was compressed into a few hectic weeks where everything ripened at the same time.

Winemaking Notes:
Hand harvested fruit was delivered to the winery in small bins and crushed into one ton fermenters where they were allowed to “cold soak” for upwards of 72 hours prior to fermentation. After an aggressive fermentation the young wine was pressed into a combination of new and used French oak barrels where it matured for 12 months. The wine was racked barrel to barrel in March to incorporate a small amount of tannin softening oxygen.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	Santa Lucia Highlands
Harvest:	September 9, 2004
Brix:	26.2
pH:	3.72
Alcohol:	14.7%
TA:	6.56 gram/liter
Winemaker:	Stephen Pessagno
Production:	730 Cases