2004 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard, Russian River Valley Available through our Pre-Release Allocation Program Tasting Notes The 2004 Arrendell Vineyard Pinot Noir is a deep, ruby-colored wine with complex aromas of red raspberries, grilled herbs and baking spices. Concentrated boysenberry and ultra-ripe dark cherry flavors complement silky tannins and layers of complexity. Acclaim 90 Points - "Good deep red. Complex aromas of raspberry, blackberry, kirsch, flowers and wild herbs. Juicy and tightly wound, but already demonstrating a strong kernel of dark berry fruit and lovely definition and verve. The acids carry the fruit on the finish, which shows a piquant note of pomegranate." - International Wine Cellar, Stephen Tanzer, May, 2006 Historic Acclaim 2003 Vintage - 91 Points 'Outstanding', The Wine Advocate 2002 Vintage - 96 Points 'Extraordinary', The Wine Advocate 2001 Vintage - 91+ Points 'Outstanding', The Wine Advocate 2000 Vintage - 92 Points 'Outstanding', The Wine Enthusiast 1999 Vintage - 92 Points 'Outstanding' The Wine Advocate 1999 Vintage - 96 Points 'Outstanding' Bon Appetit Magazine Vineyard Character Arrendell Vineyard sits in, arguably, the coldest spot in the Green Valley sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA. Each year this Pinot Noir vineyard, with its thirty-year-old vines, struggles to ripen fewer than two tons per acre of the Martini (heirloom) Pinot Noir clone by Halloween. Pinot Noir is usually one of the earliest ripening varietals in Sonoma County. Yet the Arrendell Pinot Noir is often picked after much of the county’s Cabernet Sauvignon, the latest ripening red varietal, is harvested. The cold mesoclimate that results from cool air settling in this low-lying vineyard preserves natural acidity in the grapes and helps convey the pure expression of the unique, ultra complex terroir in this wine. Balance, natural acidity and density of distinct flavors that result from these adverse conditions also increases the potential for extended aging of Arrendell Vineyard Pinot Noirs. Wine Details Oak: 100% French oak, 75% new Time in oak: 16 months Alcohol: 14.1% TA: 6.6 g/L pH: 3.38 Yeast: Native and cultured Cases produced: 375 No fining or filtration |