Lindstrom Pinot Noir 2013
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When searching for a small vineyard, Greg and Carol Lindstrom discovered a 20-acre hilltop property in Stags Leap, surrounded by vineyards owned by Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Shafer Vineyards, and Joseph Phelps Vineyards. On steep hillsides and difficult terrain, they planted their Nicali (named for daughters Nicole and Ali) vineyard with four separate clones of Cabernet.
Each year, Lindstrom Wines produces a single, estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, using a selection of the very finest grapes from their four acre hilltop Nicali Vineyard. Handmade by acclaimed winemaker Celia Welch, their limited bottling is carefully crafted in small lots and specially blended to express the unique characteristics of each vintage. The result is a great Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon reflecting the essence of the terroir of their meticulously hand-farmed Vineyard.
To create a wine that honors this philosophy, Celia applies a gentle hand during winemaking, allowing the fruit to express its natural character. Highlighted by voluptuous flavors of black cherry and dark chocolate, as well as nuanced elements derived from Nicali's distinctive tapestry of 12 separate vineyard blocks, Lindstrom Cabernet Sauvignon is a true artisan wine. Patiently aged in new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered, only a modest 325 cases were produced of their inaugural 2005 vintage. Beautifully balanced now, this wine has a rich expressive character that evokes the spirit of the Stags Leap District and promises to reward cellaring in the years to come.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.