2008 Graham Family Vineyard Pinot Noir

2008 was our fifth vintage of making Pinot Noir from the Graham Family Vineyard.  In keeping with the vineyard’s history to date, it was another low-yielding crop at less than 2 tons per acre. Luckily, the Graham Family Vineyard’s frost protection system worked as designed and we saw almost no damage.  By the end of August 2008, the Russian River Valley started heating up and brought the vines at Graham to perfect ripeness.  We picked the four clones on September 5 and September 10 for the earliest harvest yet from Graham.

 

The 2008 Graham reminds us of a cross between our 2005 and 2007 Graham Pinots.  The nose is pure Graham with scents of ripe cherries, earth, forest floor and a slight menthol note.  On the youthful palate there’s lively acidity surrounding an abundance of fruit with well-balanced tannins.  A pleasant taste of gorgeous French oak rounds out the long finish.  Enjoy this wine through 2015 at least and hopefully longer.

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