Production Notes
Varietal Content: 100% Pinot Noir; Cooperage: 100% French oak - 30% new, 20% second vintage, 50% neutral
Winemaker Notes
Planted in 1984, at an elevation of 2,200 feet, Mills Vineyard consistently yields a beautifully fragrant, red-berry driven expression of Pinot Noir— and the 2017 is no exception. Displaying glorious layers of ripe black raspberry, pomegranate, marmalade, wild mushrooms and fresh-cracked black pepper, it is juicy and mouthcoating, with an underlying complexity that evolves with each sip.
Production
A wet winter, with more than double our average annual rainfall, made for very happy vineyards in 2017. While budbreak arrived slightly later than usual, warm spring weather led to excellent fruit sets at our Mt. Harlan vineyards, with above-average yields for both Pinot Noir and our white varieties. Thanks to the abundant early season rains, and Mt. Harlan’s high elevation and marine-influenced climate, our estate vineyards weathered a significant Labor Day heat event wonderfully, producing complex and elegant wines, with beautifully balanced acids and sugars.