BLUE BOOK TASTE PROFILE

Appellation: Wild Horse Valley ~ Napa Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir


TASTE BENCHMARKS
  Profile #1
Solid style
Appearance Medium-dark color.
Aroma Dense blueberry/plum aromas are suffused with the pungent herbs which grow there: bay, mustard and wildflowers and the sandalwood/cardomom incense of the Martini clone. Comparisonin late 2008 of 2006 vs 2004 suggests a few years' cellaring is required for the nose to bloom substantially.
Flavor Much more structure than neighboring Carneros. Firm tannins carry bergomot orange flavors and a gingery spiciness.
Balance Tight, complex wines requiring four or five years to open up.
PRODUCTION CORRELATIONS
Oenological Restrained oak influence, moderate ripeness.
Viticultural Highly structured Pommard and 777 clones. Sandalwood aromas probably from Martini clone.
Terroir Red dirt laced with volcanic ash. Cooling bay breezes with some fog.