Wine Specs
Vintage
2020
Harvest Date
8/26/20 - 8/27/20
Acid
7.6
pH
3.12
Fermentation
Handpicked and gently whole-cluster pressed. Fermented in stainless steel with a portion of Chardonnay aged in neutral French oak with regular bâttonage. Secondary fermentation in bottles followed by 33 months en tirage.
Residual Sugar
0.3
Alcohol %
12.4
2020 Vintage Brut Reserve
In Stock
Bright aromas of granny smith apple, shortbread, and raspberry coulis. Fresh acidity and lemon zest in the mouth is balanced by a long, custardy finish.
Wine Profile
Vineyard Notes
The fruit for this wine is sourced mostly from a few small, clonally distinct Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blocks on the north slope of Norman's Hill. Bill and Penni's original half-acre Chardonnay planting that started it all in 2000 provides a small amount of fruit, as well as another old block just west of the tasting room and an experimental high-density vineyard beside Richwood Road.
Production Notes
In January of 2024, the bottles were riddled and disgorged. Nothing was added at disgorgement, making this a Brut nature.
Winemaker Notes
After a relatively warm winter, the vines awoke from dormancy earlier than usual but still a few days later than in 2019. Spring frosts thinned the crop of certain varieties, with Syrah affected most significantly. Early summer was beautiful with dry, warm weather, allowing the canopies of the vines to develop nicely. A humid spell with warm nights in late summer applied some disease pressure to the vineyards. As fall approached with the vines entered veraison, the vintage became more difficult. Remnants of multiple tropical storms blew through the estate, management coupled with dry, breezy conditions in between storms kept the bunches disease free. Rainfall mercifully decreased in October while cool and cloudy days continued to slow down ripening of the reds. The lack of consistent sunlight during these key months resulted in just average physiological ripeness and flavor. Although 2020 was a difficult vintage for many reasons, careful picking decisions consistently healthy and expressive fruit from the vineyard to the winery.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2020
Harvest Date
8/26/20 - 8/27/20
Acid
7.6
pH
3.12
Fermentation
Handpicked and gently whole-cluster pressed. Fermented in stainless steel with a portion of Chardonnay aged in neutral French oak with regular bâttonage. Secondary fermentation in bottles followed by 33 months en tirage.
Residual Sugar
0.3
Alcohol %
12.4
