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2004 Stoller Vineyards Pinot Blanc

(updated 9/23/05)

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The Wine

This Pinot blanc continues our appreciation of Alsace varietals. From our newest plantings at Stoller Vineyard, there is excellent ripeness and clean flavors. Experiments have developed a process that combines classic Alsace textured and Kaiserstuhl ripe characteristics, showing a purity of fruit, lushness and huge weight on the palate. We think we've found the key to making predictably complex wines from a potentially monochromatic variety.

The Vineyard

Stoller Vineyards is our newest, and therefore most viticulturally advanced, of our three estate vineyards. A south-sloping, 110 acre vineyard on a 350 acre parcel, Stoller Vineyards commands a dominating view of the southern end of the Red Hills of Dundee, giving it regular comparison to Burgundy's Corton Hill. Stoller Vineyards is planted on jory soil, with a touch of Nekia, which are both red volcanic soil types. There are one and a half acres of Pinot blanc at the site.

The Vintage

What a difference some rain makes! Vintage 2004 was destined to be equally hot and ripe as 2003, until we had a quenching rain in late August and then a month later. Young and early vineyards that were almost ready to harvest the first week of September could have done without the rain, but the rest (like Chehalem's) thought it a blessed relief. A short cropload, plus growing season heat make 2004 properly plump, but with restraint. An interesting vintage-almost an average of 2001, 2002, and 2003-it has perhaps a little more variability in reds and more structured, brighter whites, similar to 2002.

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested 10/4/04 @23.2 brix, 3.35 pH and 5.5 g/L TA, at 3.0 tons/acre

Fermentation:

Fermented with several yeasts in barrel (VL3, VL1, 3079 & SIHA7) and in tank (VL1), barrels being neutral with a single new Vosges barrel

Cooperage/Aging:

40% barrel fermentation and 60% tank fermentation; no ML

Clonal Selection:

Bottling:

Cold stabilized, filtered and bottled screwcap 4/14/2005

Bottling Analyses:

15.9 % alcohol, 6.5 g/L acid., 3.52 pH, 0.17 % residual sugar

Cases Produced:

215

Suggested Retail:

$16

Release Date:

October, 2005

Winemaker's Comments

Platinum to yellow in color, with melon aromatics and a Crayola crayon lift, this Pinot blanc carries sweet dried fruit richness and great volume and weight. It is well-balanced, showing only a little alcohol and an invigorating cleanness. A big white wine from an excellent white year.

Quotes

The Wine Advocate, June 2006, Pierre Rovani: 89. The 2004 Pinot Blanc bursts from the glass with spiced mineral, herbal tea, and floral aromas. This rich, powerful, and deep effort is a terrific value. Jam-packed with pears, apples, yellow plums, and white peaches, this highly expressive wine sports a long, angle-free finish.