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Wine Description
The Story
Lime Kiln Valley cuts a rift into rugged crags on the inland slope of the Gabilan Range, immediately to the southwest of the San Andreas Fault. The appellation--small, obscure and secluded- contains vines dating back to 1895. At the end of the 19th Century, the area's abundant limestone and granitic deposits attracted miners and prospectors. The remnants of their abandoned kilns dot the hillsides, but quarrying continues, and in the back corners of this long, narrow valley the Enz family follows the leisurely tic tock of geologic time, continuing the long work of excavating treasure from the Earth's hidden realms, rock by rock, vine by vine. This wine derives from a block of pinot noir digging into an alluvial fan of granitic sand laced with veins of limestone and dolomite.
Production: 2 barrels.
Vintage 2018
Seamless season of heavenly hangtime and phenomenal phenolic development
February saw abundant rains, followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred a bit late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set. Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The relatively mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat created near-ideal conditions for winemakers to allow their fruit to accumulate flavor complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels. Volume is looking great, up 20-30% increase over average crop quantity.
