We left our Pinot Blanc on the vine long after all our other whites were harvested. This extended hang time concentrates flavors and elevates sugar in the grapes. In the wine this method translates into bold, tropical flavors of pineapple and pear with a distinct toffee note in the back palate. Long and rich in the finish, our Late Harvest Pinot Blanc is a perfect companion to an after dinner fruit and cheese plate or classic desserts like cheesecake and apple pie.

Vintage
The amount of rainfall, though early, was normal. Dry weather reigned from March, the warmest March on record, to October. The warm weather jump-started the growing season, making farmers nervous (more much time for things to go badly). Things did cool down for spring extending bloom. Periods of long bloom affect uniformity in reds causing a potential of uneven ripening within an individual grape cluster. In our vineyards, we ‘green drop’ to balance the crop and eliminate late ripening fruit at the end of verasion. Summer was moderate without any heat waves; but it was humid raising concerns of mildew. By the end of July it was evident that an early harvest was upon us. We began picking our Sauvignon Blanc on August 13th, the earliest ever, and had brought in about 15% of the total crop by the end of August when it got hot and dry. High temperatures are not unusual in late summer and early fall but humidity under 20% is very unusual. In fact the average low humidity over the previous five years didn’t go below 30%. Extended periods of hot, dry weather are difficult for a grapevine to endure. With almost two weeks of 10 - 20% humidity in late August and September, mildew was now the least of concerns! Grape sugar was soaring before flavors had matured; our growers did a great job sustaining vineyards until flavors developed. By the end of September we were evaluating an outstanding vintage. 2004 is a vintage of ripe and well-developed flavors with the best overall quality in years.

Vinification
Alcohol: 13.0%, TA .96, pH 3.75, Residual sugar .34%.

Tasting Notes
3 STARS ~ SF CHRONICLE FEBRUARY 2007! This dessert wine is bold, has tropical flavors of pineapple and pear with a distinct toffee note in the back palate. Long and rich in the finish.

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