2000 Los Carneros Pinot Noir

325 cases bottled in 750ml

It has been said that wine becomes a kind of liquid geography. If this is so, then the map which Pinot Noir provides is the most true. Campion’s desire is to illuminate portions of the territory.

The 2000 vintage, whether you believe it to be the last of the prior millennium or the first of the current, was kind overall towards Pinot Noir. Like it’s two predecessors it was small in size and relatively late in ripening. The risk of a late vintage is rain, which thankfully did not materialize in 2000. What did occur was a heat spike immediately prior to harvest. This caused congestion in the cellars rather than harm to the vines. If anything, heat during harvest is what typifies most Californian vintages. It is what gives them the softness which makes their youth so enjoyable.

The Stanley Ranch Vineyard was the sole source for this wine. I have had much experience with this site having made wines from it for many years while at Acacia. It is located on the very southeast edge of the Los Carneros appellation. First planted in the 1870’s, it is one of the oldest vineyards in Napa. The current plantings are more than 25 years old. It is a field selection of unknown pedigree, but none the less a true Pinot fin. These older selections do not have the potential intensity of the newer clones, but they more than make up for it in complexity and finesse.

When working with grapes from a single vineyard source the risk is that the wine can be monotonous. My goal is to create as broad a range of flavor as possible. To accomplish this I separated the wine into five small one ton fermenters instead of one larger five ton. Each fermenter was then treated slightly differently in terms of yeast, temperature, whole cluster, and so forth to give more breadth to the flavor palette. All were punched down by hand and treated in a traditional manner. Initially they were put into 25% new oak barrels, and at the Spring racking 10% additional new barrels were incorporated. It was bottled without fining after 11 months.

Discussing flavors is always difficult, as each of our tastes and sensory vocabulary is unique. Let me say that this is a very typical and correct Pinot. All the flavors you expect, you find. This is the highest compliment I can give any wine. You will never mistake this for anything but Pinot. It is rich in that mysterious essence which defines Pinot, yet cannot be described. With Pinot a winemaker must often choose between either a powerful texture or a lovely perfume. My choice is always with perfume. There are other varietals that carry power better. The 2000 Carneros proves the point. The mouth is soft and integrated and the aromas complex. Pinot poses no difficulties at the table. It compliments the widest range of flavors. It has particular affinity for grilled, smoked, or salty foods.