2014 Stagecoach Road
Pinot Noir
Wine Specs
Vintage
2014
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Vineyard Designation
Fort Ross Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 2-23, 2014
Aging
10 months in 100% French oak; 20% new
Bottling Date
August, 2015 - Unfined & Unfiltered
Alcohol %
14.2
A decadent nearly opaque garnet hue, Stagecoach Road Pinot Noir grapes are grown in the vineyard blocks closed to the ocean with some of the darkest soils on the estate. Aromas of black raspberry, black tea and just a touch of forest floor are the prelude to the powerful layers of bramble fruit, black plum, red currant and spice on the palate.The beautifully intergrated refined,velvety tannins show great finesse through the endless finish with a grand finale of mouthwatering acidity.This wine is drinking beautifully now and will cellar for years to come.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
A decadent nearly opaque garnet hue, Stagecoach Road Pinot Noir grapes are grown in the vineyard blocks closed to the ocean with some of the darkest soils on the estate. Aromas of black raspberry, black tea and just a touch of forest floor are the prelude to the powerful layers of bramble fruit, black plum, red currant and spice on the palate. The beautifully integrated refined, velvety tannins show great finesse through the endless finish with a grand finale of mouthwatering acidity. This wine is drinking beautifully now and will cellar for years to come.
Vineyard Notes
2014 was the third year of bountiful harvests that again produced stellar wine of vibrancy and concentration. Protected from the drought by the late winter rains that quickly filled our pond, we could enjoy one of the few luxuries of being off the grid. As we train our grapes to grow on cordons, with evenly positioned buds that produce evenly placed shoots, we drop clusters that are not perfectly positioned. We worked through the vineyard three times to ensure that the bunches had optimal air circulation and sun exposure. The depth of flavor in the wines from this vintage reflect our meticulous handwork. August 17th marked the beginning of the harvest with picking a select block of Pinot Noir Dijon 777 for our Sparkling Wine. The remaining Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinotage ripened quickly and evenly and was harvested through September.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes for this Pinot Noir were handpicked during the cool hours of the night in 2 gallon trays.
After hand sorting, the fruit was cold soaked for several days and fermented in a combination of 5 and 10 ton tanks. The caps were punched down 1 or 2 times per day, depending on the stage of the fermentation. The wines were then barreled in a combination of 20% new and 80% neutral French oak. Throughout the 11 months of barrel aging, the clones and different vineyard blocks were kept separate to maintain their distinct flavor profiles and structural components as blending elements. These grapes are sourced from specific blocks where the old stagecoach road used to run though our vineyard and where Black Bart the famous “Gentleman Bandit” Highwayman robbed the Wells Fargo Stagecoach in 1877.
2014 Stagecoach Road
Pinot Noir
Wine Specs
Vintage
2014
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Vineyard Designation
Fort Ross Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 2-23, 2014
Aging
10 months in 100% French oak; 20% new
Bottling Date
August, 2015 - Unfined & Unfiltered
Alcohol %
14.2