Varietal:	Pinot Noir
Appellation:	Sonoma Coast
Barrel Regime:	100% French Oak, 10 months
Winemakers:	Greg Stach
Bottling Date:	August 2010
Release Date:	May 2011
Production:	350
Alcohol:	14.7

Vineyard Notes

Planted in 1996, Kanzler Vineyard is located at the bottom of a very long east facing slope of
Goldrigde soil in the Sebastopol Hills between Sebastopol and Bodega Bay. The orientation of the vineyard provides just enough warmth to fully ripen the grapes consistently year after year.

Winemaker Notes

All of the pinot noir is hand-harvest in the vineyard, then sorted multiple times before a
five day cold soak in open top fermentors. This extended cold soak enhances the color and flavors in the wine without imparting bitter flavors thanks to the absence of alcohol. We also practice a partial whole cluster fermentation leaving about 15-20% of the clusters intact which imparts a complex structure and spicy notes to the wine. The 2009 vintage was marked by a very long moderate growing season for Pinot Noir. All of our Pinot Noir was harvested before the torrential rains that occurred on October 13th. This Blend is comprised of 57% 667, 29% Pommard and 14% 115.

Tasting Notes

Rich plum and red raspberry with hints of rose petal and spice on the nose. A silky entry with crushed herbs and forest floor lead to good acidity, structure and palate weight ending with fine-grained tannins and a long finish.

Suggested Food Pairing

This pinot noir will pair nicely with roast meats, grilled vegetables, soft cheeses
and fresh seafood dishes

Press

September 1st, 2011

Pinot Report

POINTS

Medium-deep ruby color; bit closed; complex, big black cherry flavors with lots of earthy, forest floor notes; some tannin and toasty oak; very good structure and balance; long finish. Great structure and balance on this standout Pinot.

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June 29th, 2011

Wine Spectator

POINTS

Pure, rich and focused, with complex tiers of cola, dried berry, wild berry and rasberry flavors. Full-bodied, deep and persistent, with lively acidity, ending with a loamy, earthly aftertaste. Drink now through 2019. -J.L.

June 1st, 2011

International Wine Cellar

POINTS

Vivid red. Sexy red berry and floral scents are complicated by notes of cinnamon, allspice and sandalwood. Suave, expansive raspberry and cherry compote flavors stain the palate, with zesty minerality providing lift. Puts on weight with air and gains sweetness while maintaining vivacity. The finish hangs impressively, with raspberry note echoing.

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July 1st, 2010

Pinot Report

POINTS

Medium-deep ruby color; complex, spicy, deep black cherry aromas with earthy notes; deep, rich and complex black cherry flavors with spicy notes; silky texture with just the right touch of toasty oak; good structrue and balance; long finish. Big, complex and yet with some very subtle flavors, this Pinot needs some additional time to develop but sure tastes good now. Pair it with grilled or slow-roasted meats.

June 1st, 2010

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine

POINTS

Black cherry fruit against creamy oak adjuncts in a ripe, lively and fairly rich set of aromas. Full and fairly supple on the palate with firming acidity in the long and inviting finish, it will be liked today and for years to come.

June 1st, 2010

Wine Spectator

POINTS

This full-bodied red slowly uncoils to offer more richness, depth and complexity, with a medley of ripe plum, berry, spice, anise and strawberry. Ends with a pleasant fruitness and fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2016. - J.L.

July 1st, 2009

Pinot Report

POINTS

Medium-deep ruby color, deep, complex, spicy cherry aromas; rich, ripe and complex cherry flavors with earthy and spicy notes; very silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, comple and yet very silky and full of flavor; this Pinot has layers and layers of flavor.

June 1st, 2009

Wine Spectator, June 2010

POINTS

Very ripe, with great depth, touching on berry jam. Yet this is balanced, complex, focused and pure, with lively wild berry and black cherry fruit framed by spicy notes and firm tannins. Drink now through 2014. - J.L.

Pinot Report, February 2008

POINTS

Medium ruby color; spicy, bright red cherry aromas; bright, juicy red cherry flabors with earthy notes and sweet oak; very silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Rich, deep and juicy Piont that's really silky in the mouth.

December 1st, 2007

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, December 2007

POINTS

Medium to light ruby color with a distinctibe nose of underbrush, forest floor, fresh moss, and sweet currant and cherry notes, this wine cuts a slight bigger swath across the palate, but it doesn't lose any of its intrinsic elegance and purity. This is a beauty to drink over the next 3-4 years.

June 30th, 2007

Pinot Report, June 30, 2007

POINTS

Medium deep ruby color; deep, spicy black cherry aromas; rich, ripe, spice, black cerry fruit, forward, silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Rich and ripe, this is a relaly pretty Pinot with a great silkiness in the mouth.

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #180

POINTS

From a well-known Pinot Noir vineyard, the medium ruby-hued, spicy, earthy 2007 Kanzler Pinot Noir reveals sweet black cherry notes. This plump, fruit-forward, generous, pleasant wine is best consumed over the next several years.