2003 Olivet Grange Vineyard (OGV) Pinot Noir
The first Inman Family Pinot Noir, the 2003 Olivet Grange Vineyards Pinot Noir was harvested on 5 September 2003 once the vines and grapes exhibited physical maturity (brown seeds, woody stems, and attractive varietal flavors), rather than waiting for the super-ripe flavors which develop with longer hang time and higher sugar levels. Our decision paid off, as we were able to produce an elegant, feminine style of Pinot Noir, which is well-balanced and required neither acidulation nor manipulation to reduce alcohol.
Following the excellent results and positive customer response to our Stelvin bottlings of 2002 and 2003 Pinot Gris, we decided to bottle 23 cases of 2003 Olivet Grange Vineyard Pinot Noir with a screwcap closure. The remaining 480 cases of 750ml bottles were finished with a traditional cork closure.
Winemaker's Notes:
| | Inman Family 2003 Olivet Grange Vineyard (OGV) Pinot Noir | | Appellation: | Russian River Valley | | Fruit Sources: | 100% Olivet Grange Vineyard Estate Grown Fruit | | Harvest Data: | The Pinot Noir was harvested on September 5, 2003.
23 Brix
.71 T.A.
3.51 pH
| | Winemaking: | The Olivet Grange fruit was divided into two 4.5 ton lots: one lot comprised clones 114 and 777 and the other 115 and 667. The fruit was destemmed, and the whole berries went to small, open top, temperature controlled 5-ton stainless steel fermentors, where the fruit was left to cold soak for 4 days. On the fifth day, the fruit was inoculated and the fermentation commenced. The tanks lots were punched down by hand three times a day and the temperatures did not exceed 86F degrees, which preserves the aromas and fruit flavors. At the end of primary fermentation, the wines were pressed off and moved to new (35%), one year (10%) and two year (55%) old French barrels from a variety of coopers including, Rousseau, Remond, Francois Freres, Billon, Dargaud & Jaegle, and Seguin Moreau. Some of the barrels were inoculated for MLF while others were allowed to go through MLF naturally. MLF completed in mid November and the wines continue to rest on their fine lees and receive weekly batonnage. The wines were aged in barrels for 11 months before they were blended and bottled unfiltered and unfined. The lot was bottled on August 19, 2004 | | Wine Facts: | 13.65% alcohol
0.54 T.A.
3.74 pH
503 cases | Tasting Notes:
| | Color: | deep bright ruby color | | Aroma: | Rose petals, violets, cherry and forest floor spice | | Flavor: | Bright cherry, wild berry, cranberry and cola flavors, with vanilla and baking spice. This Pinot Noir has a velvety texture on the palate and a long finish. The wine's high acid, good structure and bright fruit suggest that this Pinot Noir will age gracefully. Although it is drinking beautifully now, it will undoubtedly gain in complexity with more time in the bottle. |
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