2007 Pinot Noir, Rio Vista Vineyard Clone 2A
Specifications
- Acidity .68g/100mL
- Appellation Sta. Rita Hills
- Bottling Date August 22, 2008
- Country USA
- Harvest Date October 1, 2007
- ph 3.61
- Region Santa Barbara County
- Type Pinot Noir
- Varietal Pinot Noir Clone 2A
- Vintage 2007
- Winemaker Norm Yost
Vineyard Notes
The Rio Vista Vineyard, appropriately named as it overlooks the Santa Ynez River, is the eastern gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. It is slightly warmer than the more western part of the appellation in normal vintages, but during the crazy heat spell of 2004, Rio Vista fared well and was actually cooler than vineyards closer to the Pacific Ocean. When Flying Goat was first approached by the Thorntons, owners of the vineyard, to join the ranks taking first fruit from this beautiful vineyard, we jumped at the chance and chose blocks on the steep hillside for our initial 2003 vintage. With the 2004 vintage, we increased our acreage and added a block of clone 2A Pinot Noir, thinking it would add an interesting spicy note to the Rio Vista blend. 2A tends to produce clusters with larger berries, rather bountiful yields and intensity. It is one of the Wadenswil selection, a group of Pinot Noir clones imported from Switzerland in the 1950’s. Many like it as a “blender” as it tends to add red fruit, spice and nuances like violets and blueberries to a wine, without affecting density or tannic structure.
Winemaker Notes
A darker and deeper color than past releases, the 2007 Pinot Noir “2A” entices with its dark magenta color, highlight with deep rose colored edges. A beautiful clarity invites a swirl, producing a bouquet that is “boyish” – cedar and spice, a hint of smoke. Reticent at first, the wine continues to evolve in the glass or decanter and a first sip is of red currants and super-ripe raspberries. As the layers of the wine unfold, the palate is rewarded with nuances of cocoa, pomegranate and red plum. A nice juicy finish is joined by dusty earthiness and a hint of tar. Definitely will benefit from aeration, and at release still a young lad! Enjoy now or cellar for 5-7 years.