Friends,
“Reserve” is a title that is thrown around pretty liberally in the wine industry, often without a whole lot of meaning. Most terms on a wine label have solid statistics or legal requirements behind them. For the wine to be called Pinot Noir, it needs to be at least 75% of that varietal. To list an official AVA like Arroyo Seco, at least 85% of the grapes have to come from within that appellation’s boundaries. But “Reserve” in the U.S. has no such definition, no required components. For the most part, it is simply a marketing moniker.
Until now. “The Reserve” is Blair Estate’s ultimate Pinot Noir. Everything about this wine is exceptional. “The Reserve” designation here has real meaning. Simply put, it is hand
...more... selected from the very best vines each vintage – held in “reserve” for special treatment and special occasions.
From my vineyard log book: “October 16, 2013. Walking Delfina’s, I left the refractometer behind and hand sampled for the very best grapes. Trusting my palate, I selected just enough fruit for five barrels worth of truly exceptional Pinot Noir. Clone 115 came from rows 18 thru 21. Rows 64 thru 66 gave us Clone 777. And Pommard 4 came off the south block’s rows 72 and 73.”
The Wine was aged for 11 months in 100% New French Oak barrels of Francois Freres & Seguin Moreau Cooperage, medium toast, tight grain. With proper handling of this new oak we were able to keep the lively cherry and strawberry notes of Delfina's Vineyard at the forefront of this wine.
