2014 50 By 50 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Notes

The 50 by 50 Estate is a twenty-three acre property situated southeast of the Atlas Peak AVA and north of the Wild Horse AVA. More specifically, it sits on the Monticello Road incline in the Wooden Valley of Napa, California. Starting at a roadside elevation of 830 feet, it meanders pleasantly down to 600 feet. The gentle slopes are covered with forward gravelly loam, a rich volcanic soil that drains well and lends itself perfectly to the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot varietals that are presently being planted there for the purpose of producing an exquisite, hand-crafted, biodynamically farmed, Bordeaux-style blend in the coming years. In the meantime, 50 by 50 is sourcing Pinot Noir from Sonoma County and making Burgundian style wines with serious structure and an old school mentality. The label is owned by Gerald Casale from the legendary group Devo, a man who appreciates his Old World wines. The aptly named 50 by 50 Pinot Noir is in fact a 50/50 blend of two Pinot Noir clones: the Pommard and the 667 Dijon clone. The wine spent twelve months in French oak barriques after being fermented with Burgundian yeast in small, half-ton bins which were punched down by hand twice daily for fourteen days.