By Bouchaine
Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2013

Technical Details
Appellation: Napa Valley - Carneros
Vineyard: Estate, Casa Carneros, Gee Vineyards, and Mahoney Vineyards
Maturation: Barrel aged in French and Hungarian oak (25% new); completed malolactic fermentation
Harvest Date: 9/2 - 9/15/2013
Aging: 11 months
Alcohol: 14.10%
pH: 3.56
TA: 5.38 g/L
RS: 0 g/L
Bottling Date: 7/28/2014
Production: 6124 cases (750.00 mL)

About the Vineyards
Bouchaine's 100-acre estate vineyard lies on the southern border of Napa Valley's Carneros district, overlooking the Napa-Sonoma Marsh State Wildlife Area with San Francisco and the bay in the distance. Fog, wind, and the cold nighttime temperatures of this unique geographical area lend distinctive regional identity to Pinot Noir.

Growing Season
Vintage 2013 started with a warm spring, and the vines quickly went through bud break, bloom, and set. Beautiful weather brought a bountiful crop. Luckily we were blessed with a long, perfect growing season, allowing for mature ripening and lush, layered flavors.

Vinification
Over 40-vineyard blocks are fermented separately. Post-fermentation, the free-run wine is drawn off to barrels, where it completes malolactic fermentation and integrates with the oak flavors from mostly French barrels. The juiciest barrels go through a midseason racking, performed to assemble the best expression of Carneros. The wine is then returned to barrels to allow the blend to marry before bottling.

Tasting Notes
A seductive Pinot Noir with a silky, lingering finish. It opens with an intoxicating nose of dark cherry, wild strawberry, cola, fresh roses, and cigar tobacco. A sweet, vibrant cherry palate opens to layers of dark fruits, brown spice, and cinnamon with lovely floral notes on the finish.
[Information provided by Mulberry Trample Wines]