2011 Graham Family Vineyard Pinot Noir
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2011 was one of those growing seasons that was bound to lead to another tiny crop at the Graham Family Vineyard. A rainy winter, then a bitterly cold April, during which we avoided frost, was followed by rain in May and June. Pinot Noir needs dry weather without too much wind in order to set a decent crop in the second half of May and early June in the Russian River Valley, but 2011 brought the opposite, rain and wind.
In spite of producing only a ton and a quarter per acre in 2011, the quality of the fruit was as high as ever at Graham. We harvested fewer than 5 tons for August West, of clones 667, 777, 828 and 23.
The 2011 Graham is similar to the elegant 2007 vintage that is drinking perfectly today. The unique aromas of forest floor, chanterelles and ripe Russian River Valley Pinot Noir evolve on the palate into Asian spiced fruit with a perfect acid balance. Although it will be drinking well by the end of 2013, we feel the wine will show even better after 2016 and beyond.