| TASTE BENCHMARKS |
| |
Profile #1
|
Profile #2
|
| Appearance |
Darkest in color. |
Markedly dark but not so much as the Structured style. |
| Aroma |
Violets and blackberries are underlain with celery seed and mustard for interest, and a characteristic orange peel aroma. |
These "Elegant" wines rely on perfume rather than fruit to intrigue, more like Cotes de Beaune than Cote D'Or. Less prone to reduction than the structured wines. Rich in violets balanced by mustard and celry seed, with a clear orange peel common denominator. |
| Flavor |
This "Structured" style, tannins are hard in youth and fill the palate. An orange peel bitterness marks the finish, relieved by energetic minerality. |
The mouth is oily rather than tannic, with a dominant perfumed presence of violets. |
| Balance |
These are wines of considerable presence and mineral interest. |
Minerally with a very long line of floraal perfume. |
| PRODUCTION CORRELATIONS |
| Oenological |
Traditional Burgundian approach, with a lot of whole berry fermentation to balance the sauvage elements in the fruit. In this style, hangtime is not extended, and the goal is graceful longevity rather than current enjoyment. To increase extraction, cold soak and extended maceration may be employed. |
Traditional Burgundian approach, with a lot of whole berry fermentation to balance the sauvage elements in the fruit. Moderate maturity -- ripe but not overripe. Extended maceration is avoided. Whole cluster punchdown may be employed to increase perfume and spice. |
| Viticultural |
Uneven terrain does not lend itself to factory farming as on the valley foor. Individual attention to hand-tended vines adds to bottle price but pays dividends in quality. In this style, Pommard clones and Dijon 115 are favored. |
Uneven terrain does not lend itself to factory farming as on the valley foor. Individual attention to hand-tended vines adds to bottle price but pays dividends in quality. In this style, Dijon Clones 667 and 777 are favored. |
| Terroir |
Prone to vintage variability, with 2005 a recent standout. A raised escarpment underlain with shale. Still subject to daily winds, it is nevertheless completely distinct from the Monterey AVA valley floor to the east. The further south one plants along the 15 mile strip, the warmer and more sheltered are its vineyards, and thus the riper and less acidic are the wines, but some of the best are made in the north, which has better access to hand labor. |
Prone to vintage variability, with 2005 a recent standout. A raised escarpment underlain with shale. Still subject to daily winds, it is nevertheless completely distinct from the Monterey AVA valley floor to the east. The further south one plants along the 15 mile strip, the warmer and more sheltered are its vineyards, and thus the riper and less acidic are the wines, but some of the best are made in the north, which has better access to hand labor. |