MERCY
2012 Pinot Noir, Zabala Vineyard
Arroyo Seco

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2015

Vineyard Notes
Dating back to the Spanish Land Grant, the Zabala family have been stewards of the same ranch for seven generations. The wind-blown property encompasses much of the Arroyo Seco "Riverbed" and is known for its rocky and gravelly soil-types. Vines were first planted in 1972, and the vineyard is home to many grape varietals, including various plantings of Pinot Noir.

Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested in early October, three different clones were selected from the vineyard’s South Pointe block, a rock-strewn locale adjacent to the region’s seasonal creek. At the winery, fruit was gently crushed and de- stemmed, with the resulting must racked to macro-bins. Allowed to cold soak for two days the juice was inoculated with yeast strain RC212 (a yeast isolate from Burgundy). A 12-day fermentation and extraction period ensued with manual punch-downs employed to re-engage skin-to-juice contact. Once pressed the wine was transferred to French oak barrels where it spent eleven months before being bottled on September 26, 2013.

Tasting Notes
A barrel selection of nine distinct barrels, this wine showcases the dense, juicy berry-nature of Pinot Noir grown on the Zabala ranch. Aromas of black berries and cherry mingle with notes baking spices, violets and earthy-mineral tones. Richly textured, firm tannins enhance the fruit favors on the palate and melt away as part of the long finish.

Vineyards:  Zabala Vineyard
Composition:  100% Pinot Noir
Clones:  15% - Pommard Clone 4
45% - “Dijon” Clone 115
40% - “Dijon” Clone 667
Harvest:  October 9, 2012
Aging:  French Oak, 22% New Dargaud Jaegle, Francois Freres & Mercurey
Bottled:  September 26, 2013
Acidity:  0.63
pH:  3.82
Alcohol:  14.6%
Production:  219 cases

Tasting Notes  PDF

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