2001 Firepeak Vineyard Pinot Noir

9 barrels bottled in 750ml

The single vineyard designation indicates that this is Campion’s reserve. This type of reserve becomes possible only when a vineyard produces a wine with both intensity and balance. The overall quality from the appellation must also be high. High enough that taking a portion out does not result in a weaker regular bottling. All of these criteria were met with the 2001 harvest in the Edna Valley. This vintages weather was near ideal. The crop was on the large size initially, but two thinnings brought it into balance. Firepeak Vineyard is owned by the Niven family who are investors in Campion. The Pinot Noir is grown on a low ridge just beyond the winery. The lighter volcanic soils on this ridge are very fine for Pinot. The vineyard contains a wide selection of clones. This allows for greater complexity and flexibility in the creation of the wine. This wine was selected primarily from the 2A clone. This clone has a particular affinity for the Edna Valley. It makes a dark wine with abundant fruit flavor. A small amount of Dijon 777 was also used for structural purposes.

The winemaking is traditional. The fruit was destemed into open top vats. They allow it to be gently punched down to extract the color and flavor. The wine had a much longer cold pre soak before fermentation than is standard. The free run wine was kept separate from the press wine. For this wine only the free run was used. The wine was aged in French oak barrels. The key to making the best reserve wine is a technique called barrel selection. You begin with your strongest lot - in this case the 2A. Then barrel by barrel you taste through and pick the tastiest ones for the blend. I picked eight barrels from the 2A and one Dijon 777 barrel. This wine spent the first part of its aging in 50% new barrels, and was then racked to 30% new barrels for the remainder. This technique allows the relatively high percentage of new oak to integrate more fully without dominating the wine. It was bottled in six pack 750ml with both bottle and label uniquely different than the appellation wines.

Intensity and balance are the benchmarks of a reserve wine. Intensity is needed for a couple reasons, to get attention and to deliver value. If you pay more, you should get more. Balance, because it is the single attribute that contributes most to the wines drink ability. Without balance you may make quite a statement, but no one will want a second glass. It is so difficult to achieve both of these in Pinot. Generally as the intensity increases the balance goes out the window. It is a rare wine which delivers both. This wine is one of those rare jewels. If only life were as simple as pairing Pinot with food. It’s hard to put a foot wrong. I have some personal favorites. I adore it with fowl. Starting with chicken and going all the way up the list in gaminess to pheasant, if it’s got feathers it’s going to work with Pinot. Most grilled foods augment Pinot’s smokiness. Salty foods such as ham are a traditional match. It almost goes without saying that the end of the meal when the cheese comes out, and you have gotten tired of those big dry Cabernets - is a wonderful time for Pinot.