From its shining red crystal color to its lavish flavors, this Pinot Noir is fun and unique. Loads of red currant and cranberry aromas jump out of the glass, with notions of black currant and brown baking spices providing a richness that beautifully complements the red fruit aromas. On the palate, mouthwatering flavors of sugar-coated tart strawberries and raspberries and cream glide to a soft, lush finish.
The fruit was gently destemmed into small open-top fermenters using state-of-the-art equipment and procedures to avoid any pumping of the must. Inoculation with select yeast strains followed a three-day cold soak, and the caps were managed with a combination of pump-overs and punch-downs. After 10 months of aging in exclusively French oak barrels, 36% of which were new, 36% being once-used, we bottled on August 10th, 2022.
The 2021 vintage delivered a moderate and consistent growing season for most of Sonoma County, leading to a smooth, easily manageable harvest. While the continuation of drought conditions led to slightly reduced yields, the overall quality and concentration of the grapes were exceptional. Our grapes from Gap’s Crown were harvested from blocks 4A and 9A4, planted to Clones 115 and 828 respectively. Fruit was harvested by hand overnight on September 14th and 16th, 2021.
Gap’s Crown Vineyard is situated on the base of Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap AVA, named for the Petaluma wind gap that allows wind and fog from the Pacific to flow further inland than almost any other place in Sonoma County. Situated just below our own Nightwing Estate Vineyard, Gap’s Crown is planted on a southwest-facing slope with elevations ranging from 320 to 820 feet, and boasts some of the most sought-after fruit in Sonoma County.