
This wine shows some nice blackberry that adds depth and nicely complements its ample cherriosity. Suggestions of countryside earth beg for lamb or mushrooms or anything with truffle oil. Juicy, balanced, lively ripe fruit; an extended, creamy finish despite showing a firmness to age nicely for years to come. Growing and Vinifying When the Mendelssohn’s first planted their vineyard, clonal selection was not taken lightly. After making their selections, they compiled a list of the most successful Pinot producers and discovered that Clendenen had planted the same five clones when developing his own Le Bon Climat vineyard. When approached with the idea of this joint venture, Jim was impressed by their commitment to organic and sustainable farming (as well as by their clonal wisdom!). He agreed to make their first vintage and has produced this wine ever since, extending their sustainability commitment into the winery. For example, note the cloudiness when this wine is in your glass? It is unfiltered– a decision that leaves the grape’s tastier bits in the wine instead of on some filter pad, akin to the flavorful but opaque cup of coffee you get when it’s made in a French Press. Cheers!
Tasting Notes
It would be fun to taste this next to the Le Bon Climat Pinot that Winemaker Jim Clendenen also vinifies. Two pinots side-by-side, one from Santa Maria Valley, the other from Russian River, each made by the same winemaker, and from the very same clones. Talk about a controlled experiment.
At a time when winemaking is increasingly ruled by manipulations in the cellar (ask us about micro-oxygenation, color additives like “Mega Purple”, de-alcoholizing systems, watered wines, and acid additions) it’s good to know hand-crafted wines like this still exist. As with most of the wines we select for you, this is as natural a product as is possible, from the vineyard to the cellar.
Dave Chambers, Wine Merchant
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