| TASTE BENCHMARKS | |||
| Profile #1 Solid style |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Medium-dark color. | ||
| Aroma | Dense blueberry/plum aromas are suffused with the pungent herbs which grow there: bay, mustard and wildflowers and the sandalwood/cardomom incense of the Martini clone. Comparisonin late 2008 of 2006 vs 2004 suggests a few years' cellaring is required for the nose to bloom substantially. | ||
| Flavor | Much more structure than neighboring Carneros. Firm tannins carry bergomot orange flavors and a gingery spiciness. | ||
| Balance | Tight, complex wines requiring four or five years to open up. | ||
| PRODUCTION CORRELATIONS | |||
| Oenological | Restrained oak influence, moderate ripeness. | ||
| Viticultural | Highly structured Pommard and 777 clones. Sandalwood aromas probably from Martini clone. | ||
| Terroir | Red dirt laced with volcanic ash. Cooling bay breezes with some fog. | ||