2007 Pinot Noir, Pommard Clone, Mission Ranch, French Oak

In our continuing effort to reveal as many facets of Pinot Noir as we can, this dual release is meant to reveal how dramatically different two barrels of the same wine (made the same way, with the same yeasts, the same press conditions, the same maceration time) can be. The Pommard clone of Pinot Noir from the Mission Ranch in the Arroyo Seco appellation is the vehicle for this exhibition. The Pommard clone was imported to California in the 1940s by Dr. Harold Olmo of UC Davis and is characterized by rich, dark fruit notes and significant midpalate weight. What these wines share is a matrix of dark fruit aromas and flavors of black cherry, pomegranate, raspberry, as well as a viscous mid-palate. It is where they differ that is more interesting. When first opened, the wine aged in American oak showed that wood more forcefully than the French oaked wine. The American barrel tended to attenuate the fruit aromas while the French oak barrel made itself known on the finish of the wine, adding a bit of sweetness and length. The mid-palate of the French oak wine rose to a greater height in terms of fine-grained tannin, but the American barrel showed longer persistence of structure, finishing with great acid. Both barrels suit the wine beautifully, both are a little obvious in their youth, and with time, both wines will be superior examples of the grape and the winemaking.
 

[Download PDF]