2005 Tondre's Grapefield Pinot Noir
The 2005 vintage has set the bar higher than any previous vintage for pinot noir in California. I can honestly say that it is the best vintage in my sixteen years of making pinot: Quality, Elegant, Fruity, Extracted and Balanced, are all descriptors that come to mind. Pair all of this with the usual high quality from Tondre’s Grapefield, and the wonderful forward spice inherent in this premium appellation, then you have a creation that will be remembered for many years. I am immensely proud of this wine, and I hope you enjoy it as much as enjoyed making it.
Santa Lucia Highlands
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2005 Muns Vineyard Pinot Noir
The 2005 Muns vineyard pinot noir is the first Santa Cruz Mountains AVA offering from Sonnet. For many years I had been searching for the right vineyard and was delighted in 2005 when I met Ed Muns, owner of the Muns Vineyard. The vineyard is located 2600 feet above sea level on Loma Prieta. It sits mostly above the fog line and derives its cooling influences from its elevation, proximity to the Monterey Bay and cooling afternoon winds. The 2005 Muns Vineyard pinot has concentrated black cherry and berry fruit with subtle hints of oak aromatics. The wine is dense without being too heavy or cloying, and shows a surprising elegance on the palate for such a big wine. Although this wine is drinking well now, it would prove more rewarding for the more patient of us, with further aging.
Santa Cruz Mountains
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2005 Kruse Vineyard Pinot Noir
The York Mountain appellation is located near Templeton, between Cambria and Paso Robles. Although Paso is well known for warm weather, Zinfandel and Syrah, the Templeton Gap, an East – West valley where Kruse Vineyard is situated, is cooled by the maritime influence of the pacific. The finest of California’s pinot noir vineyards are all located in the cooler parts of the state, and York Mountain is one of the coolest. These cooler regions give us the raw material to make wines of great depth and fruitiness. The 2005 vintage was one of exceptional quality; a long cool growing season contributed to full flavour development on the vine, creating a wine with a splendid array of red and ripe black cherries, with a subtle infusion of toasty oak and cinnamon spice.
York Mountain
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2005 Amber Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir
2005 was probably the best vintage yet for Californian vineyards and wineries, and what wonderful wines the 2005s are. This offering fills the mouth with ample amounts of black cherries, red cherries, raspberries, cola nut and nutmeg spice. Oak aromatics from tight grain Hungarian barrels help to support the textured silky mouth-feel rather than dominate the luscious fruity characteristics. This is a well-balanced wine that will age gracefully for many years.
Russian River Valley
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