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Classic Tier Reserve Tier Limited Release Wines
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Select Late Harvest Pinot Noir
Carneros


2000 Pinot Noir, Carneros (Estate Vineyard) — Signed and Etched 3-Liter Bottle
  Artesa's Limited Release Pinot blocks hang on the hillsides around the winery on the foothills of Mount Veeder. The 91D block is planted to the storied old California Martini clone. The hillside has a sunlight-absorbing southern exposure and great drainage. Both factors insure small intensely flavored berries and moderate yields. Temperatures are moderated by the adjoining San Pablo Bay, cool afternoon breezes and persistent morning fog. As the hot air above California's Central Valley rises, it is replaced by cool air from the Pacific Ocean. These chilly winds make their way through gaps in the coastal mountain ranges and through Carneros every summer afternoon. These winds also bring in a thick maritime fog. The sun burns off this fog late in the morning, causing the temperature to immediately jump 15 degrees. This climate yields grapes that have enough cool hang time to develop a wonderful depth of flavor with great natural acid.

Winemaking
Gently hand harvested, the grapes were destemmed without crushing. Our massive must chiller guarantees that our Pinot gets a long cold soak and slow cool start to its fermentation. Most lots were inoculated with one of several yeast strains; some lots went through uninoculated (native) fermentation. A mixture of thorough punchdowns and gentle pumpovers gives color with supple mouth texture. Pressed off shortly after dryness and aged in French oak barrels. The secondary malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel and the wine aged for 10 months in 75% new oak.

Tasting Notes
The deep color of the Carmen Lucia Ruby, this wine is voluptuous, refined and elegant. A rare combination of power and subtlety. Its bright aromas and flavors of raspberry, cherry and blueberry are forefront from start to lingering finish. Seamlessly multi-layered with fruit and oak spices of clove, nutmeg, cedar and pipe tobacco that melt into a lingering berry and vanillin oak finish.

732 cases produced. 14.5% alcohol by volume.