The wine is a beautiful marriage of the two sites in its structural might (a Deer Park characteristic) and its blossoming notes of raspberry and pomegranate fruitiness which I take from the San Vicente site). Somewhat brooding and closed when first opened, with air notes of cardamom, baking spices, bacon fat, and toasty oak become wonderfully obvious. In the mouth, the structure of Deer Park comes to the fore. Again, like the Deer Park single vineyard release, the nice fruit on entry is met quickly with significant tannin and acidity on the mid-palate. The acidity persists on a long finish which seems to be accentuated by red cherry, rhubarb, and raspberry essence. This wine is a blend of the Mariafeld and Wadensville clones from Deer Park (86%) and the Martini clone from San Vicente (14%). Only 80 cases were produced.
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.
Sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay, Methode Champenoise
In the mouth, this wine is wonderfully rich. Showing the hallmarks of world-class Monterey County Chardonnay, tropical fruit flavors abound as does the rounding flavor of freshly-baked brioche. This wine is a perfect accompaniment to a wide range of food choices. Only 179 cases of this wine were produced. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
