2008 Pinot Noir, Floodgate Vineyard, Rock Hill

2008 Pinot Noir
Floodgate Vineyard
Rock Hill

Floodgate Vineyard is located in the heart of Russian River Valley’s most coveted Pinot Noir sub appellation known as the Middle Reach. It is here where the region’s most prestigious vineyards reside, and where the most highly acclaimed producers source their fruit. This is one of our estate properties, and the future home to our new production facility.

Rock Hill (Block 16) is a tiny block planted in 2000 on one of the rockiest knolls on the property. Though vigor is low in these difficult soils, winemaker Gary Farrell feels this could be one of the finest locations within Floodgate Vineyard for the cultivation of exceptional Pinot Noir wines.

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Tasting Notes

Download Tasting Notes (PDF)

Vintage Summary

2008 was a tremendous vintage for producers favoring finesse and elegance in their wines. As you may recall, 2007 provided very bright, but highly extracted, dense wines from our region. While many enjoy this style, it is not the style of winemaking I have embraced during my career. Rather, I prefer more subtlety in my wines; with greater focus on purity of fruit, acute balance and elegance than density or power. Thankfully, 2008 provided ideal fruit composition for crafting wines of this style.

Winemaker Notes

Though showing the shyness of its youth, this wine is an investment in patience. Coming from one of the finest pieces of ground at Floodgate Vineyard, this is an amazingly accurate expression of soil and place. The complex array of black berry, plum and miner- ality is lightly seasoned by a touch of cedar and mint. This is truly an exotic and complex wine, which respects our demands for gener- ous, refreshing acidity and acute balance of components.

Gary Farrell, winemaker

Cellar Notes

  • Vineyards and Clones

    Floodgate Vineyard – Rock Hill (Block 16)
    Dijon Clone 777

  • Harvest Information

    Harvest date: September 1
    Hand harvested at night under lights
    Hand sorted in vineyard
    Average brix: 23.9 degrees

  • Grape Processing

    Cold fruit processed early AM
    Hand sorted prior to stem removal
    Hard sorted after stem removal

  • Fermentation

    Tanks: Small open tops
    Cold soak: 5 days
    Yeast: Combination wild and cultured
    Mixing: 3 manual punch down daily
    Duration: 11 days

  • Barrel Program

    ML fermentation in barrel
    100% French oak
    45% new (Francois Freres, Rousseau)
    55% one and two year old
    13 months in barrel

  • Finished Wine

    Alcohol: 14.1% by volume
    Titratable acidity: 6.8 gm/L
    pH: 3.42
    Bottling date: November 14, 2009
    Production: 233 cases (9 liter equivalent)

  • Accolade PDF

  • Critic PDF

Accolades