Vineyard: 1500 Ft. Elevation, Mixed Volcanic Soils, Wild Horse Valley AVA.
Despite its location just a few miles from downtown Napa, few vineyards are as isolated and unique as Heron Lake. Perched on a high, rocky outpost above San Pablo Bay, the vineyard catches the ocean breeze as it rises up into the Vaca Mountains. The vines are planted in extremely shallow and rocky volcanic soils and this intersection of cool coastal climate and rugged soil profile creates wines that express a daring combination of freshness, acidity, depth and texture.
Vinification: 50% whole cluster, 50% fully destemmed. Foot treading with native yeast fermentation during a 14 day maceration. No press wine was included and this wine was bottled un-fined and unfiltered.
Tasting notes: Aromatic intensity, clarity and precision define the 2017 Heron Lake Pinot Noir. The sweet spice of the stems is playing in he background though emerges as the wine opens up. The finish is softer than the 2016 but the quartz minerality is still present and should keep this wine crystalline and fresh for a long time. Aromatics include rose petal, red fruits, moss, tangerine peel, pennyroyal, black tea and a sublime quartz mineral finish.