our WINES
2011 FOREFRONT PINOT NOIR
Gold Medal - 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
While honoring the winemaking legacy that has earned Pine Ridge its
reputation, our open sourcing approach brings together the best fruit,
regardless of appellation, to craft wines of exceptional quality and
distinctive style.
THE WINE
Sourced from diverse vineyards located on the Central
Coast of California, the defining characteristic is coastal influence. The
San Luis Obispo County grapes provide a base of dense, black fruit
and spice notes, due to rich soils and a long growing season. Monterey
County, with its loamy soils and cool marine climate, adds impeccable
balance, layered red berry fruit and clean
minerality.
| VARIETAL | APPELLATION | VINTAGE NOTES |
 |
||
| 100% Pinot Noir | 78% San
Luis Obispo (Edna Valley) |
Cooler than usual temperatures lasted throughout the growing season until a warmer October led to optimal ripeness at the time of harvest. |
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||
| 22% Monterey | Below-agverage temperatures persisted during the growing season, leading to evenly-ripened fruit excellent color extraction and bright acidity. | |
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| 3% Sonoma | Higher elevation and stony alluvial soils accelerated ripening during fall's heat wave. | |
THE WINEMAKING
Picked by hand in the cool of the coastal night, these grapes were hand-sorted at the winery before being destemmed into stainless open-top fermentors. After a short cold soak, the juice was inoculated with cultured yeasts and fermented for 8 to 14 days. The caps were punched down twice a day by hand to gently extract color and flavor. The wine was then pressed to oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging.
THE FLAVOR PROFILE
This vintage delights the nose with brilliant aromas of juicy red cherry and strawberry rhubarb pie amid hints of sweet briar and subtle cinnamon. The palate teems with luscious blueberry, raspberry and vivid cherry fruit. Vibrant acidity and faultless balance characterize the lush palate. The wine finishes smoothly with hints of ground clove and bramble berry lingering to the last.
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