2018 Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir
This vineyard sits high on a rock strewn, windswept hill directly overlooking the Petaluma Gap, the coastal mountain feature that feeds the cool Pacific air into the Russian River basin. Usually the last vineyard we pick each year, and often the most tannic of our wines, the 2018 offering has intense aromas of black cherry, dried cranberry, cinnamon, dark cocoa along with hints of porcini mushroom-forest floor intermingle and intertwine. The mouth is juicy, broad and generous with lingering plum, and cassis. Gap’s Crown Vineyard is a very long-lived wine that rewards patient cellaring for many years to come.
The weather in 2018 was spectacular, making this another exceptionally-fine vintage for Sonoma County. A near record long growing season, with plenty of cool days, punctuated with sunny and warm patches allowed flavors and textures to mature fully. Crop levels were above average, with many sites producing the best crops in years. The acidity levels are higher than normal, with perfectly ripened fruit. Though the year was cool, the fruit was very clean and high quality. A vintage to remember!
One of the Sonoma Coast’s great vineyards, Gap’s Crown was first planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 2002. Located in the foothills of the Sonoma Mountain, above the Petaluma Gap, it offers a variety of soil types at elevations ranging from 300 to 800 feet. The prized sections we work with are on the flank of the mountain. They are two of the highest blocks on the vineyard and are planted to clones 667 and 828, in Goulding series soils, with some heavier clay interspersed with volcanic rock and lots of gravel. These soils are extremely well drained, and coupled with the site’s wind and fog, help to ensure low yields. Gap’s Crown is one of the last vineyards we harvest each vintage.
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (48% New)
Bottled without filtration to preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors and enhance aging potential
- Type:
- Red
- Varietal:
- Pinot Noir
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- Sonoma Coast
- Vintage:
- 2018
- Blend:
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Alcohol:
- 14.5
- Fermentation:
- Multi-yeast fermentations (native yeast, followed by cultured yeast); 10% whole cluster added; 100% malo-lactic fermentation in barrel