2019 VINTAGE NOTES FROM OUR WINEMAKER
The 2019 vintage began similarly to the 2018 vintage, with budbreak slow to develop by late second week of March. Because of this flowering and bloom were pushed back a few weeks later, as was the previous vintage. The weather during flowering and bloom was warmer compared to 2018 and led to consistent fruit set and berry sizes that were fairly uniform, and larger compared to any vintage in the past. Summer weather was mild and cooler however compared to 2018. The Fall weather continued to be mild and this resulted in the longest veraison to harvest gap we have ever experienced up at our vineyard.
2019 CUVÉE VIVIENNE PINOT NOIR
Named after our winemaker’s daughter, the 2019 Cuvée Vivienne Pinot Noir is a blend of our four clones from our eight Pinot Noir blocks at our Albatross Ridge estate vineyard. For this vintage we were fortunate to have very long ripening and hang time which contributed to the Cuvée Vivienne’s slightly darker color than past vintages and a dense core of tart cherry, ripe strawberry, and a lingering finish of ripe raspberries alongside earthy and mineral undertones. This Pinot Noir drinks exceptionally well now with a little air and will reward a decade of cellaring.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
This wine loves any sort of meat, and elevates a homemade grassfed bacon cheeseburger in our kitchen all the way up to a roasted leg of lamb. We find ourselves pairing this often with duck confit and salad with goat cheese.
WINEMAKING DETAILS
Harvest Date: September 19th – October 15th Clones: 828, Pommard, 115, 777 Ph: 3.68
Yield: 1.55 Tons Per Acre
Brix at Harvest: 21.5-23.7
Yeast: 100% Native yeast 30% New French Oak 12 Months in Barrel
Unfined and Unfiltered Alcohol: 13%