2008 Tina Marie Vineyard Pinot Noir
(Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County)

This site lies in the heart of the Green Valley appellation, on the corner of Green Valley and Maddocks Roads. Owner and manager Ron Black had the foresight to plant his hillside very densely to create more vine competition and lower yields. This approach delivers an intoxicating combination of lushness and poise to the wines from this site. Our block in this vineyard yielded two tons per acre in 2008.

The nose is rich in exotic cherry liqueur, hot soil, green tea, and rose petal. The wine’s texture is lush and deep but very well-delineated by balanced acids. While very charming now and perhaps the most accessible wine early on, the near-heroic length and firm tannins will allow for years of aging.