2008 Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir
(Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County)

Randy Peters and his father-in-law, Tom Mukaida, farm this vineyard outside of Sebastopol in western Sonoma County. The southern slopes of these hills form the northern edge of the Petaluma Gap, which rushes cool, marine air from the Pacific Ocean inland. The vines, a mix of Pommard and 777 planted twenty years ago, produce grapes that ripen unusually slowly due to the vineyard's often-present morning fogs. This year the vineyard yielded a bit less than two tons per acre.

The nose is full of high-toned red cherry and cinnamon with subtle hints of mushroom. The flavors are lifted and floral leading to a persistent, spicy finish. The year-in, year-out lushness of Peters is, as always, balanced by its bright acids. This focused and red-fruited wine has both the bones and stuffing for aging.