Production Notes
Varietal Conent: 100% Pinot Noir; Cooperage: 70% New, 30% Second Vintage French oak; Medium toast: Allier, Vosges and Tronçais Forests
Winemaker Notes
Gowan Creek is the home of our winery and offers a perfect mid-valley winegrowing location that combines warmer Anderson Valley elements with coastal fog and cooling influences from the northern end of the valley. This unique terroir consistently produces grapes with a certain wildness and intensity—compelling characteristics that are clearly on display in 2008. The aromatics offer layers of mulberry, fig, strawberry pie, toasted oak and spice. The palate is broad and complex with weighty tannins that lead to a long, concentrated finish.
Production
Despite frost and fire, 2008 was another great year for growing Pinot Noir in Anderson Valley, delivering excellent yields and a beautiful array of fruit. Harvest started on September 9th at our Confluence Vineyard, moved to Gowan Creek, and concluded at our Narrows and Abel vineyards on October 23rd. The beauty of the 2008 harvest was the range of styles it produced. As our vineyards continue to mature, their identities are becoming clearer and clearer, allowing us to make both complex, layered blends, and site-specific wines embodying a focused sense of place.