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1999 Stoller Vineyards Pinot Blanc

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The Wine

This is our first commercially released pinot blanc, continuing our appreciation of Alsace varietals. From our newest plantings at Stoller Vineyard, there is excellent ripeness and clean flavors. As we experiment for a process to make classic Alsace textured wines, we expect a purity of fruit and good weight on the palate from these early wines.

The Vineyard

Stoller Vineyards is our newest, and therefore most viticulturally advanced, of our three estate vineyards. A south-sloping, 100 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 to jory soil, with a touch of Nekia, which are both red volcanic soil types. There is one acre of Pinot Blanc at the site.

The Vintage

The 1999 vintage is a great year for white wines. It was a cool, long growing season, which retained acidity, ending in an improbable but welcome 8 weeks of dry and moderately warm weather, which ripened fruit late, but impeccably. White wines are bright with acidity, yet balanced with lush fruit.

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested 10/19/99 (Stoller Vineyard) @ an average of 24.2 brix, 7.10g/l TA, and 3.36 pH

Fermentation:

Fermented with VL yeast

Cooperage/Aging:

Clonal Selection:

100% Dijon clonal fruit (76, 95 & 96) from Stoller Vineyards, pressed whole cluster

Bottling:

Cold stabilized and filtered, bottled 9/18/2000

Bottling Analyses:

13.9% alcohol, 6.2 g/l TA, 3.44 pH, 0.3% residual sugar

Cases Produced:

Suggested Retail:

$15

Release Date:

May, 2001

Winemaker's Comments

Barrel fermented, this Pinot blanc carries chardonnay-like light caramel characteristics with typical straw-toned fruit. It is soft and full, with ultra-ripe apple, peach or starfruit aromas, dusty white chocolate hints and sizable alcohol leading to a lush, slippery palate. It finishes with a slight mineral and earth component and warmth. With only 70 cases made, this is a good candidate for aging and collecting.