2009 Clos Saron Pinot Noir Home Vineyard- USA, California, Sierra Foothills (10/31/2011)
Pop and pour, drink for two days. Light red, nearly limpid. Instant, gorgeous spice nose, and a hint of wood. Bright and cheery on the entry, this young wine is all about red berries, soil, and a solid followthrough. I really like this wine and its natural feel. (92 pts.)
It’s likely something else rather than wood. These wines are aged in 4 and 5 year old barrels. Perhaps some wood flavors are left to be leached out but I doubt it. I can’t remember if he adds stems but that could be what you are smelling if he did.
As an interesting side-note I made some Pinot at home for fun this year from a few different vineyard sources and strangly some of them had a very wood-spice quality to them but never have and never well see oak.
Berry, just a hint of wood mixed in with the spice. Definitely no ‘oak’ or ‘toasty oak’ coming through. The website mentions that the cooperage is from the Rousseau family in Burgundy, but not how long in barrel or how old the barrels are. The wine certainly tastes as if it hasn’t much oak influence. It ‘is a bright and vibrant, natural wine. Oh and btw, they were very easy to come by. Nice people runnin’ the joint , too.
I stand corrected, I loved the 09! I really thought it was the 08 and went searching for some after that and was bummed when none could be found. Sounds like I need to go order some from the winery.
The 09 Home Vineyard was aged in 2-3 years old barrels for 12 months. We have not bought new barrels since 2006, but a number of our wines do show hints of “woody” aromas. The wine was fermented on about 50%+ of its stems.
In relation to ordering - if you want to, just email me (gideon@clossaron.com) or call us at 530 692 1080.
Just ordered a couple bottles (already anticipating a wicked backhand from my wife). Gideon was super responsive and a joy to work with. Really looking forward to trying these.