Winemaker Notes
The 2006 Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir is deep purple in color with aromas of blackberry, mocha, toast, damp earth, cardamom and roasted nuts. It continues with a spicy entry and flavors of black cherry, cocoa, broad sweet tannins and cherry liqueur. The wine lingers with a long rich finish balanced by great acid and fruit definition. The Dijon clones exhibit more structure than the Swan Selection and lend to darker black fruit characteristics. Bold enough to pair with a roasted rosemary rack of lamb along with new spring red potatoes.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Serious white wine. Dense and full-bodied, it's incredibly lush in tropical fruit and apricot flavors. Entirely dry, it shows a honey-sweet layer that’s crisp and well-balanced.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Complex aromas of roasted grains, wood smoke, ripe apples and subtle hints of crème brûlée are joined in aromas that are both deep and far-ranging. The wine is full in body and somewhat on the soft side, but that softness is never overdone, and it stays in balance while allowing easy access to its deep personality even at this youthful juncture. Less in need of aging that many of our other top picks, this wine will be fully enjoyable today and should hold up well for a few years yet.
As early as the 1970s Carneros became known as a source of terrific Pinot Noir, and was one of the first California regions to gain such a reputation. The combination of sunny days, cooling fog and thin clay soils are tailor-made for the variety. Another factor in Pinot Noir’s prominent place here is vintners’ willingness to experiment widely. The history of the grape in Carneros is marked by continuous research into clonal variations, viticultural techniques and site selection. Careful evaluation over time has revealed a signature flavor profile as well. Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, red berry, spice, earth and cola appear time and again in Carneros Pinot Noir. To this day the appellation remains one of California’s standard bearers for the variety.