2008 Pinot Noir, Floodgate Vineyard, West Block

2008 Pinot Noir
Floodgate Vineyard
West Block

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 of our new production facility. The West Block (planted in 1971) is one of the oldest known plantings of Pinot noir in the Russian River Valley. Though producing less than one ton per acre, winemaker Gary Farrell insists the vineyard be preserved … not only for its historical significance, but the astounding quality and impeccable structure of wines produces from these old vines.

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Tasting Notes

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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

This youthful wine proves that abundance and concentration is achievable, without the excessive weight, ripeness and alcohol found in so many Pinot Noirs today. At Alysian, generous acidity and structural integrity is our first and foremost requirement; and indeed necessary in the crafting of great wines. Alluring aromas of violet, fresh blackberry and stone fruits lead to an array of wild berries, fresh plum and blackpepper spice on the palate. Those flavors expand and become exotic with time in the glass, as hints of enrichening oak and minerality surface in the many waves of flavor complexity. Refreshing vibrancy and supportive fine-grain tannins add further credibility and appeal to this wildly appealing wine. Though enjoyable now for its adolescent charms, this is a strong candidate for careful, long-term cellaring.

Gary Farrell, winemaker

Cellar Notes

  • Vineyards and Clones

    Floodgate Vineyard - West Block
    Martini clone

  • Harvest Information

    Harvest date: 9/5
    Hand harvested at night under lights
    Hand sorted in vineyard
    Average brix: 24.5 degrees

  • Grape Processing

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

  • Fermentation

    Tanks: Small open tops
    Cold soak: 4 days
    Yeast: Combination wild and cultured
    Mixing: 3 manual punch downs daily
    Duration: 11 days

  • Barrel Program

    100% French oak
    Francois Freres, Rousseau
    40% new
    ML fermentation in barrel
    13 months in barrel

  • Finished Wine

    Alcohol: 14.4% by volume
    Titratable acidity: 6.9 gm/L
    pH: 3.46
    Bottling date: Nov. 24, 2009
    Production: 201 cases (9 liter equivalent)

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