Pinot Noir

Viticulture

Compact berries
Thin uneven skin
Makes for uneven ripening & varied results within vine, vineyard and region!
Buds & ripens early, a low yielding varietal.
Mutates frequently:
Pinot Gris, Blanc and Meunier
50 clones recognized in France alone
Vines have short relative lifespan (40-45 years)
Susceptibility: Mildew, frost, Pierce’s disease, coulure
Climate: cool to temperate with lots of sunshine
Soil: well drained, chalk or Limestone

Vinculture

Demonstrates pronounced vintage variation
Needs extra care to extract color and tannin without losing aromatics
Pigeage: Gentle push down of skins back into fermenting grape juice to extract more color, flavor & tannins. Done in open top vessels.

Undergoes Malolactic Fermentation, converting tart malic acids to softer lactic acids, for a rounded wine
Oak aging occurs in older barrels
Cool climates: chaptalization to improve fruit & alcohol, especially in Burgundy.
Warm climate: prolonged maceration to extract more color & flavor

Color: Translucent jewel-like ruby red
Aroma: Dried strawberry, raspberry, some plum, black cherry, mushroom, barnyard, leather, game, spice, black tea, gamey
Body/Texture: Light to medium; silky to velvety
Acidity: Medium to low
Alcohol: Medium
Tannins: Medium to low
Flavors: Strawberry, cherry, plum, spice, earth, limestone minerals, savory, sandalwood