2017 Putnam Vineyard

90 Points: VIRGINIE BOONE Wine Enthusiast - 9/1/2020

" From a far Sonoma Coast vineyard near Annapolis, this is a tight, structured, high-toned and exotically savory red wine that's earthy and resiny. Balanced and textured, it opens slowly in the glass to allow just a touch of cranberry, wild strawberry and pomegranate to mix in."

The 2017 vintage followed a cool, very wet winter. The soils were moist and rich, and required extra meticulous care with cover crop management and canopy management. There was a heat spike at the end of August that had little effect on this vineyard because it lies so close to the ocean. Clone 115 and Clone 777 were picked from this vineyard on September 21st, 2017.

Putnam Vineyard is located on the far Sonoma Coast, just 6 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the very northwestern part of the appellation near the town of Annapolis. There, cool maritime breezes and the vineyard’s proximity to the Pacific provide optimal growing conditions for Pinot Noir. At 580 feet in elevation, the Putnam’s cool marine climate creates just the right amount of stress on the vines to produce exceptional wines.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 14.40%
• cases made:

  9 Barrels
  225 Cases

• bottling date: 07/31/2018
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 44% new

• fermentation:

  Gently destemmed into open-top fermenters; three-day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs