2016 Adastra Vineyard Pinot Noir Methodé Ancienne Swan Selection

This Pinot is dripping in riches with a Chinese 5 spice nose of star anise, cloves, fennel seeds, and cinnamon and hints of cherry blossom. On the palate notes of cranberry, tart cherry, cedar and vanilla lead into luxuriously smooth tannins as fine as silk. This wine was fermented with 100% Hand-picked whole clusters piled into a French oak open top fermenter and subjected to pigeage (lightly treading on the grapes by foot) several times a day until the fermentation was complete.

Méthode Ancienne is a French phrase that translates to “ancient method.” It’s a term we use to indicate a traditional and historic method of fermentation we use on extra special small lots when conditions are “just right”. Our Méthode Ancienne wines are fermented 100% whole cluster. The treading is done by one of our illustrious cellar interns. (don't worry, their feet were thoroughly sanitized, lol). This lends extra tannin and structure to the wine, giving it a longer life and the heft to pair beautifully with hearty meals.

Adastra is a Certified Organic vineyard situated in the very heart of Los Carneros. Located in a low spot with cool air flow and very thin, relatively light clay-loam soils, it is a site with naturally low vigor. The low yields produce extraordinary fruit from vines that require little in the way of manipulation, a hallmark of an exceptional vineyard. Only 2 barrels made, 46 cases total.