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Wine Description
The Story
Back in the winter of 1995, as we were geing ready to plant this block, a huge storm created a deep ravine in the sloping hill where the future vineyard was already staked. The next morning the sight was frightening — it looked like an earthquake had hit the block! After that, we never referred to it by any other name.
Our Earthquake Block is planted with the Pommard clone, which consistently gives us a wine that harmonizes deep color, intensity and concentration with suppleness and elegance. The block is situated on a slope at the top of the Don Miguel Vineyard, with ideal row orientation that ensures perfect ripening.
The organic Don Miguel vineyard that is located in the Green Valley – the coolest, foggiest region of the Russian River, only ten miles from the Pacific. The European-style high density of over 2,000 vines per acre provides low yields and requires intensive labor; but the vines live longer and the grapes acquire beer balance and greater concentration, as well as more elegance and finesse than with the traditional low density.
Wine Information
Production: 146 cases
The Vinification
The grapes were harvested on September 29 and after minimal crushing, they were stainless steel fermented with no whole clusters. The wine was aged in premium French oak barrels, 100% new, coopered by Remond and Francois Freres from the forest of Bertranges. After 10 months of oak aging the wine was boled, unfined and unfiltered, in August 2011.
Tasting Notes
This boling reflects the classic personality of the Pommard clone: raspberries, sandalwood, a touch of violets. The palate is supple and elegant but also rich, exuberant and showy. Notes of mocha and spice from the beautiful barrels add to the complexity. The well-integrated tannins provide a solid structure that will help ensure a very long life.
