Wine Spectator rating 92 points for 2003 vintage.
"Perfumed with floral and cherry notes, this wine draws you in from the start. . . . An elegant Pinot lover's Pinot." -PinotFile
Made from a blend of three Dijon clones of Pinot noir, Clone 777 (50%), Clone 115 (30%), and Clone 113 (20%).
Huckleberry and other ultra-juicy ripe red and black fruits dominate the initial impression of this highly approachable wine. Faint notes of vanilla, brambles, and a perfume-scented crushed amber register on the senses. To the taste, ripe cherry and blackberry are joined by clove, vanilla and smoky toast, all of which remain in a long, sweet finish. - the winery
Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews:
Van Duzer greatly increased its plantings of Dijon clone Pinot Noir in 1998 and 1999 when they grafted the vines to Chardonnay roots, now 25 years of age. Besides their individual sensory contributions, the Dijon clones from Burgundy are known to produce grapes that ripen earlier, allowing for more 'hang time' and more concentration of flavor.
Jim selected 3 of the 9 Pinot Noir clones planted on the estate because of the unique attributes each brought to the wine. The Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir consists of the 777 clone that is full bodies with silky tannins, the 115 clone with red raspberry flavors, and the 113 clone with good acid balance and some floral aromas.
WINEMAKING
The grapes were hand harvested and sorted in the field in the early morning hours. The cool grapes were delivered to the winery and de-stemmed and crushed leaving approximately 40% whole berries. The must was inoculated using yeast isolates from Burgundy and allowed to heat naturally, resulting in a 4-day cold maceration and a relatively cool fermentation. The wine was aged in 50% new French oak and 50% once-used French oak barrels. After 10 months of aging the selected lots were blended and the wine returned to barrels for an additional 4 months of aging to allow the blend to marry. The wine was hand bottled, unfiltered and unfined.
