This, our first Tradition bottling, is an homage to Burgundy. It is a single, one-year old barrel of Pinot that was minimally punched down and fermented with 50% whole clusters. This is a great example of what different winemaking can create using the same grapes as the Alder Springs Pinot. Tasting these side-by-side is highly recommended! This bottling has more earthy and raspberry aromatics and is slightly richer, but finishes with more structure. As this wine ages, look for a blossoming aromatic complexity and that ethereal quality which makes Pinot so great.
Good bright dark red. Sappy aromas of black raspberry, pepper and spices. Dense in the middle palate, with darker flavors than the "basic" bottling: dark raspberry, violet, smoky oolong tea and rooty spices. Comes across as sweeter but also possesses more structure and grip. Finishes with very good breadth and substantial dusty tannins. Very interesting and different pinot: winemaker Mike Hirby described it as "an anomaly."
