2006 Abbey-Harris Vineyard Pinot Noir
(Boonville, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County)

This 1.5 acre vineyard sits at 900-1100 feet, facing south above the town of Boonville in the Anderson Valley. Its soils are part of the Wolfey-Bearwallow complex: roughly half the vineyard has very pale, sandy soil mixed with pink quartz, while the other half has soils with more organic matter and large shale outcroppings. We continue to farm and manage the vineyard with able help from owners Dona Abbey and Dan Harris. In 2006, the vineyard yielded 1.5 tons per acre.

Structure and grace are the defining characteristics of this wine. Penetrating raspberry and orange peel aromas jump immediately from the glass, and cinnamon and caramel nuances emerge with air. This wine is dense, with exceptionally rich tannins, but manages to remain both agile and perfumed. Very long, structured flavors of crushed raspberry and cinnamon complete the palate.