Mary Elke 2005 Pinot Noir

Winemaker's Notes:
The Elke's are primarily grape growers. Our grapes are used in Pinot Noir priced in the $25-$45 per bottle range.

However, we have long wanted to see if we could produce a more price-friendly Pinot Noir from our vineyard that would still reflect the nuanced and subtle characteristics of the varietal. Our first attempt is the 2005 "Pinot for the People” Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. It is 100% Dijon 113 from our Donnelly Creek Vineyard.

Two major factors that make this wine more affordable are:

1. Yields in the vineyard were 4-5 tons per acre which reduces the cost of the grapes
2. No new oak barrels were used for aging, however, all the wine was placed for 10 months in previously used French oak.

While Napa and Sonoma Bordeaux varieties experienced a bumper crop in 2005, yields in most Pinot Noir vineyards on the North Coast were down because of the cold and damp conditions that prevailed at the exact time most Pinot was blooming in late May and June. The vines flowered in fits and starts. Once the fruit was set, we worried about mildew and botrytis. Many grape clusters were small with small berries. Finally, late summer brought warm, dry weather, and then, best of all for Pinot purists, September was cooler than normal, and we growers could leave the grapes on the vine to develop flavor without becoming too high in sugar.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	Anderson Valley
Varietal:	100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol :	14.2%
TA:	0.64
Oak:	10 months
pH:	3.66
RS:	Dry
Release:	October 2006
Production:	350 cases