Artesa Pinot Noir Carneros

Description

The 2013 Vintage The 2013 vintage was an ideal growing season from bud break to harvest. Total rainfall was normal and we received most of it in November and December which replenished the reservoirs, but did not provide much moisture for the vines in the spring. Because the late winter was dryer than most years, irrigation began two months earlier than usual. Bud break was two weeks earlier than 2012 and the weather during the blooming period was ideal for fruit set and berry development. During the summer, the cycle of warm days and cool nights allowed the ripening process to progress uniformly. The benefit of an early season like this one is the ability to let the crop hang longer allowing ideal flavors to develop. The consistent temperatures and warm, sunny days, promoted even ripening; harvest progressed with a steady flow of high, quality fruit being delivered to the winery daily after being hand-picked in the early morning hours.About the Vineyard Carneros is renowned for its cool climate because of its proximity to San Pablo Bay. Almost all of the sourcing for this vintage 92% is fruit from our own estate vineyard. Artesa sits high on a hill with panoramic views of Napa Valley and is surrounded by 150 acres of estate vineyards that are comprised of a complex series of small, ultra-premium blocks where varietals are matched with soil types, topography and sun exposure. The diverse terrain features hillside slopes that taper off as sea level approaches. Reaching the highest elevations in Carneros, most vineyards are planted at altitudes between 200 to 400 feet in soils that range from shallow clay to thin, gravelly loam. Vines struggle for water and nutrients; crop sizes are small, yielding limited quantities of highly concentrated fruit. We combined this fruit with a small portion of grapes from several vineyards that span the Carneros region, working closely with growers weve known for many years; blending grapes from these sites yields a multifaceted wine with distinct layers of flavor.Winemaking The grapes for this wine were hand-picked over a period of several weeks, as each block achieved ripeness and flavor development. Winemaker Ana Diogo-Draper de-stemmed, but did not crush the grapes, placing them in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The fermentation tanks were chilled for a three-day cold soak – designed to extract color and flavor from the grape must. The tanks were then warmed so that fermentation could begin. Tasting each tank daily, the team pressed the wine off its skins when the proper flavor and tannin structure was achieved. The wine was placed in French oak barrels 30% new for nine months prior to bottling.Tasting Notes On the nose, this wine offers beautiful, bright red fruit and a hint of floral aromas. On the palate, there are undertones of bright strawberry and cherry and accentuated with hints of caramel and a slight, toasty oak. The natural acidity gives vibrancy and it is an excellent partner to so many foods; it is medium bodied and has a long finish. A classic Pinot Noir that is true to its appellation. – Artesa