Quercus Cadmus Pinot noir 06
winery: Quercus
A reserve-level Pinot without the price tag. The 2006 Cadmus opens with red and black cherries, fresh plums, and hints of dark raspberry. One-third new oak contributes an exotic, integrated spice component, and the long finish echoes with pure cherry fruit and earth. A supple and delicate Pinot with a frame built for the cellar.
Quercus is the name of Michael's winery. He also names each of his wines: Harmonia, Hyperion, Theia, and Cadmus. The Cadmus Pinot is Michael's most ageable, higher end wine.
MORE INFORMATION
The higher altitude of the Momtazi Vineyard fruit used in this wine lent a more structured, red cherry and blackberry theme to this wine, complemented by the more black cherry driven flavors of the Bayliss Vineyard fruit. The medium to heavy toast on the 25% new oak barrels assisted the natural grape tannins in creating a toasty, structured tannic quality.
The Quercus Cadmus Pinot noir 04 is made from fruit sourced from two vineyards; the Bayliss Vineyard, located east of Carlton, and the Momtazi Vineyard, located south og McMinnville. The Bayliss Vineyard is all Pinot noir 777 Dijon clone, and the vines are fairly young, about 5 years old at harvest. The Momtazi vines are both Dijon clone 777 and 115, and were 5-7 years old at harvest.
The Cadmus was made from 100% destemmed grapes, and used mostly native yeasts. The grapes underwent a cold soak for four days to intensify color and flavor, and were then fermented for 21 days in cuvee.
The Cadmus was aged in 25% new oak for ten months.
