Floodgate Vineyard is located in the heart of Russian River
Valley’s most coveted Pinot Noir sub appellation known as the
Middle Reach. It is here where the region’s most prestigious
vineyards reside, and where the most highly acclaimed producers
source their fruit. This is one of our estate properties, and the
future home to our new production facility.
Rock Hill (Block 16) is a tiny block planted in 2000 on one of the
rockiest knolls on the property. Though vigor is low in these
difficult soils, winemaker Gary Farrell feels this could be one of
the finest locations within Floodgate Vineyard for the cultivation
of exceptional Pinot Noir wines.
VINTAGE
SUMMARY
2008 was a tremendous vintage for producers favoring finesse and
elegance in their wines. As you may recall, 2007 provided very
bright, but highly extracted, dense wines from our region. While
many enjoy this style, it is not the style of winemaking I have
embraced during my career. Rather, I prefer more subtlety in my
wines; with greater focus on purity of fruit, acute balance and
elegance than density or power. Thankfully, 2008 provided ideal
fruit composition for crafting wines of this style.
WINEMAKER
NOTES
Though showing the shyness of its youth, this wine is an investment
in patience. Coming from one of the finest pieces of ground at
Floodgate Vineyard, this is an amazingly accurate expression of
soil and place. The complex array of black berry, plum and miner-
ality is lightly seasoned by a touch of cedar and mint. This is
truly an exotic and complex wine, which respects our demands for
generous, refreshing acidity and acute balance of
components.
Gary Farrell, winemaker
CELLAR
NOTES
Vineyards and
Clones
Floodgate Vineyard – Rock Hill (Block 16)
Dijon Clone 777
Harvest
Information
Harvest date: September 1
Hand harvested at night under lights
Hand sorted in vineyard
Average brix: 23.9 degrees
Grape
Processing
Cold fruit processed early AM
Hand sorted prior to stem removal
Hard sorted after stem removal
Fermentation
Tanks: Small open tops
Cold soak: 5 days
Yeast: Combination wild and cultured
Mixing: 3 manual punch down daily
Duration: 11 days
Barrel
Program
ML fermentation in barrel
100% French oak
45% new (Francois Freres, Rousseau)
55% one and two year old
13 months in barrel
Finished
Wine
Alcohol: 14.1% by volume
Titratable acidity: 6.8 gm/L
pH: 3.42
Bottling date: November 14, 2009
Production: 233 cases (9 liter equivalent)
