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Grand Cru Philosophy Inspires Sonoma-Cutrer's® Limited-Production Single Block Pinot Noir

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Published
09/08/2016 by

Steeped in a winemaking philosophy grounded in respect for terroir, Sonoma-Cutrer has always been known for balancing Burgundian practices with California innovation. But it is its latest offering from the highly acclaimed Winemaker's Release series – the Owsley Vineyard Single Block Pinot Noir – that takes this to an exciting new level.

As the fourth release in this collection of limited-production wines, the winemaking team wanted to push beyond simply creating a single vineyard "reserve" wine. They strived for a masterful combination of grape selection and unique winemaking practices that began with a single block of fruit within a much larger vineyard.

The Owsley Estate Vineyard, one of six owned by Sonoma-Cutrer, was chosen for its unique terroir which is heavily influenced by the fog that rolls in from the Pacific Ocean and settles over the vines each afternoon. Limited exposure to the sun and fluctuating temperatures produce the dark, concentrated fruit for which this vineyard is known. But its lowest-yielding block – known as K Top to the vineyard team – is truly special.

"The Owsley vineyard in the Russian River Valley is known for its dramatic temperate changes that ultimately result in concentrated, complex, full-bodied Pinot Noirs with incredible structure," said Director of Winemaking Mick Schroeter. "But we know the vineyard extremely well and year in and year out the vineyard's finest grapes come from the K Top block, so we simply had to use those grapes for this unique wine," added Pinot Noir Winemaker Zidanelia Arcidiacono.

One of Sonoma-Cutrer's best-kept secrets is its separate winery known as the Pinot Barn. The Pinot Barn was designed with the delicate nature of Pinot Noir in mind. Utilizing handcrafted winemaking methods, the grapes entering the Barn were handled with the most gentle of techniques. From picking through production it was a hands-on process. The grapes were hand-picked at night and then hand sorted, after which portions of the final blend were cold soaked and hand-punched down. Fermentation involved a unique combination of three different methods: oak tank, stainless steel tank and new French oak barrels with the heads removed. Each was allowed to ferment separately for several weeks before being 'mingled' together and aging for 16 months in the French barrels.

"The French Oak barrels we used in both the fermentation and aging process of this wine have been under our control since the wood was first sourced thanks to our unusually deep relationship with French foresters and coopers," said Schroeter. "Our barrels play such an important role in the winemaking process that we travel to France to specially-select the wood that is used to craft our barrels." What results is one of the most unique and special wines Sonoma-Cutrer has ever crafted.

Availability
Owsley Single Block Pinot Noir is offered in select U.S. markets with a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 750mL bottle. All Sonoma-Cutrer wines can be purchased at the Sonoma-Cutrer winery as well as through the wine club, Club Cutrer. For more information about the wines, how to purchase or to join Club Cutrer please visit www.sonomacutrer.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/sonomacutrervineyards.

Winemaker's Notes
The latest offering in our Winemaker's Release series expresses vibrant aromas of dark fruit including blackberry, cassis and black cherry. Hints of forest floor, dark chocolate, black tea and earth notes round out the scents of this complex wine. This classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is elegantly structured and offers a nice depth of flavors full of blackberry, dark berry fruit, warm spice, chocolate and tobacco. The wine is round and velvety with a long, pleasant finish full of silky tannins.

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