2008 Pinot Noir Rose, Mission Ranch, Arroyo Seco

The 2008 Pinot Noir Rosé is our third release under the La Rochelle label. Shortly after the Mariafeld clone Pinot from the Mission Ranch was crushed and put into 1 ½ ton opentopped fermenters, juice was drawn off the skins and put into two neutral-oak barrels. The saignée (or bleeding-off) process produces juice that gets the benefits of minimal contact with grape skins (lighter color, just a hint of tannin). The pink wine is then fermented completely dry and bottled after only seven months. This Rosé is a lovely shade of coral. In the nose, subtle aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and cherry lead to a rich mid-palate full of flavor and a dry, persistent finish with great food-pairing acidity. Just over 40 cases of this wine were produced.

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