Blending Pinot Noir from the 2023 Harvest: A Journey Through Green Valley’s Finest Clones
As we look forward to the 2024 harvest, we’re busy with blending and bottling from the previous harvests. This week, we blended our 2023 Pinot Noir – this year working with three different clones of rare, Green Valley Pinot Noir. After meticulous blending, we believe we have crafted our best Pinot Noir yet.
The journey of blending these exquisite clones—DIJON 777, MARTINI, and POMMARD—has been both a challenge and a pleasure, each bringing its unique characteristics to the final blend.
DIJON 777: The Chameleon
The DIJON 777 clone is known for its versatility and site dependency, offering a unique character based on where it’s planted. This clone can produce fruit that is red, lifted, and ethereal, or darker and fleshy. Its intense color, nice tannins, spiciness, and aromatic qualities make it a standout. The high ratio of fruit-flesh to berry skin allows for higher aroma and color extraction, making DIJON 777 perfect for aging. In our blend, it provides a vibrant backbone, balancing complexity with a touch of elegance.
MARTINI: The Spice Master
The MARTINI clone is renowned for its characteristic brown spice notes—cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove—combined with deep cranberry and raspberry flavors. Its thicker skin and grape pulp contribute to a boysenberry signature descriptor. MARTINI generally ripens later than other clones, which means it stands up well to weather variations. It can produce structured wines, especially when vintage yields are limited. In our blend, MARTINI brings a depth of flavor and a spice profile that adds layers of complexity and intrigue.
POMMARD: The Powerhouse
The POMMARD clone is celebrated for producing well-structured Pinot Noir with high tannin levels and dark fruit notes, complemented by a somewhat meaty character. Known for its considerable spice and mid-palate complexity, it offers a luxurious mouthfeel that winemakers covet. The dense qualities and signature “cola” scent of POMMARD enrich our blend, contributing to its robust structure and rich, full-bodied profile.
The Art of Blending
Blending these three clones is an art, requiring a delicate balance to bring out the best in each. DIJON 777 adds brightness and aromatic intensity, MARTINI infuses spice and red fruit depth, and POMMARD enhances structure and complexity. The result is a harmonious blend that captures the essence of Green Valley’s unique terroir.
Green Valley: A Unique Terroir
Green Valley, a sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley, is bounded by Sebastopol, Forestville, and Occidental. This area is renowned for its trademark fog, which blankets the vineyards and creates an ideal microclimate for growing Pinot Noir. The cool, foggy mornings and warm afternoons allow the grapes to ripen slowly, developing complex flavors and maintaining balanced acidity. This unique climate, combined with the diverse clones, gives our Pinot Noir its distinctive character and elegance.
Tasting Notes
Our 2023 Pinot Noir blend opens with an inviting bouquet of dark cherry, cranberry, and subtle brown spices. On the palate, you’ll experience layers of rich, dark fruits interwoven with hints of cola and meaty undertones. The mid-palate complexity is enhanced by a luxurious mouthfeel, leading to a long, elegant finish with finely integrated tannins and a lingering spice.
A Toast to the Future
This Pinot Noir is a testament to the unique qualities of Green Valley’s terroir and the dedication of our winemaking team. We believe it is a wine that not only honors tradition but also sets a new standard for excellence in our winery.
