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2007 Pinot Noir, Momtazi Vineyard, special selection
Release Date: 9/2009 Futures Price: $ 360 per 6 bottles Production Notes: The grapes were fermented in a Burgundy oak fermenter after two days of cold maceration. The wine aged French oak barrels for 16 months before bottling. The Special Selection was selected from the three best barrels. This unique cuvée represents the most rigorous selection of grapes and wines in each vintage. Only 49 cases are produced and this wine is available only as a future. This Pinot noir complements rich stews, roasts, cheeses and grilled meats. When served young, this wine is best opened 1-2 hours before serving . It is drinkable at release and will benefit from aging up to 9 years.
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Winemaker Notes
In the past, we have offered Pinot noir futures to ensure that our out-of-state customers could purchase small production wines before they sold out. In 1999 we began offering another type of future, a unique bottling of a small number of the best barrels from the vintage's best lot(s) of Pinot noir. Two to four barrels are selected from the 30 or so barrels of one single vineyard offering and bottled as a special cuvee. These cuvees were sold only at the winery. They represented the best wine of the vintage and were always age worthy.
In 2002, we purchased our first French oak, Burgundy style fermenters. In my Harvest Report, I described the fermentation aromas in the wood tank as the best I have ever smelled. I am convinced that grapes fermented in wooden Burgundy fermenters capture more of the nuances of Pinot noir and produce more complex wines. The Special Selection now always come from lots fermented in these French oak fermenters.
2007 was one of the more challenging harvests in the past decade. The season began early with sunny and dry weather in May and June. Bloom was about a week earlier than normal indicating that we would expect to begin picking in late September. The crop level was thinned significantly in late July targeting yields of between 2.1 and 2.7 tons per acre for Pinot noir.
September was cooler than normal and the cool weather continued into October. Intermittent rains slowed maturity and increased the risk of rot. Sunny periods between the rain events allowed the critical process of ripening and flavor development to continue. The tension mounted as waited and prayed for sun watching the acids soften, the tannin sweeten, and the flavors gain complexity. The first grapes were finally picked on October 5th, ten days later than expected. By October 15th, all of the fruit was picked, making 2007 our shortest harvest. The extended hang time produced exceptional white wines and complex, layered Pinot noirs.
In 2006 I approached Moe Momtazi and asked if St. Innocent could contract for Pinot noir fruit from his bio-dynamically farmed vineyard. From my first trip to France in 1998, I observed that the greatest domaines in both Burgundy and Alsace had one thing in common, they farmed bio-dynamically.
Bio-dynamics is an integrated system of farming that incorporates and encourages diversity in the entire ecosystem, from the roots and soil, through the macro-climate of the vine. A step beyond organic farming, this system was developed by Rudolph Steiner. The end result is a greater sense of the terroir of the site.
Momtazi Vineyard is in the McMinnville appellation, an area of mixed sedimentary and basaltic soils that is particularly affected by costal winds blowing through the Van Duzer corridor. The wines produced from this AVA tend to be darker in fruit profile, richer in tannins, and more intense.
Tasting Notes
The '07 Momtazi Special Selection is dense ruby color. The nose if full with dense raspberry and black raspberry, hibiscus, and sweet Indian spices with hints of jasmine and cumin. Black raspberry and cherry fruit explode with layers of dark flowers, sweet roasted spice and hints of cocoa. This very concentrated wine has ample sweet tannins and enough acidity to evolve for a decade. A great match for grilled lamb chops, herbed park loin, and lasagne, allow 2-3 hours of air for this dense, but not heavy wine to open. The 2007 Pinot noir Momtazi Vineyard, Special Selection is limited to two barrels out of a total of 52 produced. The optimal window for enjoyment is between 2012 and 2020.
Futures are offered from Thanksgiving through January 2009. A maximum of 49 cases are available for sale. Sold in six bottle lots, the finished wine will be available for pick-up (or shipped) in September 2009.