Biggio Hamina Pinot noir Ana Vineyard 07
Biggio Hamina Ana Vineyard 2007 Pinot noir's scent is memorable - sweet blackberries and spicy wild roses burst from the glass. Appealing red fruit - raspberry, cherry, and strawberry - are joined by spicy, intriguing dried cherry flavors. Fine, seamless tannins and fresh fruit linger in the finish.
Ana Vineyard is adjacent to Arcus, Winderlea, and Maresh vineyards in the Dundee Hills. The vineyard shares the same soil type (Jory) and dried cherry and sweet cinnamon scents and flavors characteristic of the appellation's terroir.
The Biggio Hamina Ana Vineyard Pinot noir 07 is made from the 777 clone of Pinot noir, grafted onto 22 year old Chardonnay vines. The vines were grafted in 1992. The soil is Jory, and the wine was fermented with 20% whole clusters and aged in 33% new oak. The grapes come from the western slope of Ana Vineyard, adjacent to Arcus Vineyard. Todd worked with Arcus Vineyard fruit while at Archery Summit (1996-2000).
Beyond the Bottle, 12-22-09: In the glass, the Biggio Hamina Ana Vineyard pinot ($36) is a clear, garnet red color offering these wonderful perfumed floral notes of red berry fruit giving way to an intriguing earthiness that makes you want to keep coming back for another sniff. This whole cluster fermented pinot noir is designed to challenge and please your olfactory sense in a manner that prompts you to stop, think, smell and think again. That's my kind of pinot noir - one that takes you down one sensory path only to find yet another trail of discovery.
In the mouth, this Dundee Hills pinot noir offers terrific fruit but not in the concentrated fashion that is far too common with some of its AVA peers. This wine provides a light mouthfeel with balanced acidity leading to a wonderful finish that keeps you coming back for more sniffs and more tastes
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Biggio Hamina's Todd Hamina began his wine career in 1996 as a vineyard worker for Archery Summit. He worked in various jobs at Elk Cove, Patton Valley, and Maysara wineries before striking out on his own. Todd draws inspiration from the winemaking methods of Burgundy and Alsace. He produces an ambitious range of whites and reds.
Todd describes his winemaking style: "I want to make wines with fine structure, lovely perfumed aromas, and viscous density. They won't be shy, but at the same time they should not hit you over the head with a club. My goal has always been to make subtle, supple and satisfying wines".
