The Verse Pinot Noir comes from the Las Brisas Vineyard in the Carneros appellation in Sonoma County. Francis Mahoney owns the vineyard and has been growing Pinot Noir in Carneros since the late 1960s. We are excited to be able to produce wine from two old California selections of Pinot Noir from such a storied region and a man with more experience and tenure than just about anyone around. The cold and windy Las Brisas Vineyard at the edge of the Carneros appellation produces a Pinot Noir that is all about elegance and delicacy. The wine is produced from the Swan clone and the Gamay Beaujolais clone of Pinot Noir. The former is spicy and savory. The latter is neither Gamay nor from Beaujolais but is a selection of Pinot that was very popular in California decades ago. It is a very juicy and fruity clone that makes up the textural core of our wine. Together the two clones make a great compliment.
Vinification
The grapes were mostly destemmed, fermented naturally, and aged in neutral oak for 10 months.
Tasting Notes
The 2011 Pinot Noir is strikingly pure and delicate. It is brimming with bright red raspberry, with lower-toned wild fennel and tarragon and grounded with a dusty red clay earthy component. In the mouth it is saturated with sweet red cherry fruit and loaded with energy. It finishes with a clean juicy snap, like biting into a fresh cluster of grapes.
