Ramsay Pinot Noir Carneros 1998

Pinot Noir, "Lot 11" 1998 Ramsay Pinot Noir is a blend made from selected lots of grapes grown in several of Californias great Pinot Noir regions, with about half of the fruit coming from vineyards in the Napa Carneros. It is this blending of grapes from ay vineyards that makes it such a charming wine -- each vineyard offering its own particular set of nuances, flavors and aromas. Also, several different yeasts are used in the fermentation process, each adding their own "color" and complexity to the whole. This wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for almost a year prior to bottling, with no fining and minimal filtering. This wine has a wonderful array of rich cane-berry flavors that are indicative of quality Pinot Noir. Good tannin structure and a firm acidity brings the wine together in the mouth. The nose is a nice blend of Pinot Noir fruit with oak -- with notes of vanilla, blackberries and allspice. (From Kent Rasmussen Winemaker Notes)