2005 brought the longest, coolest growing season to date for Alder Springs Vineyard, and the Pinot Noir really benefited from this. The color is a vibrant cherry red. The nose is full of complex spice, herb, cola, cherry and strawberry aromas; and the texture fulfills this promise of complexity, with a lithe, elegant, yet rich mouthfeel. The lowest in alcohol of all of our Pinots to date, we feel the 2005 is a huge step in the stylistic direction first begun in 2004 - meaning more aroma, fresher flavors, and better texture.
Review: Moderately saturated medium ruby. Sexy aromas of musky raspberry, caramel, tobacco, smoke and nutty oak, all lifted by wild herbs. Sappy, dry and rather politely styled, with firm acidity restraining the wine's sweetness. Spicy, easy-to-drink wine with subtle persistence. Just this side of lean but there's lovely freshness here. "With no heat spikes in 2005, we finally had a chance to make Burgundian-style pinot noir," noted owner/winemaker Mike Hirby. This has a natural pH of 3.7; normally it's 3.9 or even higher from this site.
