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 of our new production facility. The West Block (planted
in 1971) is one of the oldest known plantings of Pinot noir in the
Russian River Valley. Though producing less than one ton per acre,
winemaker Gary Farrell insists the vineyard be preserved … not only
for its historical significance, but the astounding quality and
impeccable structure of wines produces from these old vines.
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
This youthful wine proves that abundance and concentration is
achievable, without the excessive weight, ripeness and alcohol
found in so many Pinot Noirs today. At Alysian, generous acidity
and structural integrity is our first and foremost requirement; and
indeed necessary in the crafting of great wines. Alluring aromas of
violet, fresh blackberry and stone fruits lead to an array of wild
berries, fresh plum and blackpepper spice on the palate. Those
flavors expand and become exotic with time in the glass, as hints of
enrichening oak and minerality surface in the many waves of flavor
complexity. Refreshing vibrancy and supportive fine-grain tannins
add further credibility and appeal to this wildly appealing wine.
Though enjoyable now for its adolescent charms, this is a strong
candidate for careful, long-term cellaring.
Gary Farrell, winemaker
CELLAR NOTES
Vineyards and Clones
Floodgate Vineyard - West Block
Martini clone
Harvest Information
Harvest date: 9/5
Hand harvested at night under lights
Hand sorted in vineyard
Average brix: 24.5 degrees
Grape Processing
Cold fruit processed early AM
Hand sorted prior to stem removal
Hand sorted after stem removal
Fermentation
Tanks: Small open tops
Cold soak: 4 days
Yeast: Combination wild and cultured
Mixing: 3 manual punch downs daily
Duration: 11 days
Barrel Program
100% French oak
Francois Freres, Rousseau
40% new
ML fermentation in barrel
13 months in barrel
Finished Wine
Alcohol: 14.4% by volume
Titratable acidity: 6.9 gm/L
pH: 3.46
Bottling date: Nov. 24, 2009
Production: 201 cases (9 liter equivalent)
