Blue Slide Ridge Pinot Noir 2019

Blue Slide Ridge is named for its magnificent formations of blue rock. Directly below the vineyard a sheer cliff drops into the small winding “Marshall Creek”, showing off great cerulean shards jutting out from beneath the earth’s surface. In 1995 Lee Sr. and Carolyn Martinelli planted this six acre vineyard of Pinot Noir on a steep slope, under the guidelines of Helen Turley. This site was once prime grazing land for sheep, located on the second ridge inland from the Pacific coastline.

The 2019 season was overall very cool with record rainfall in Sonoma County in February. The vines however, were not affected by this because they were still dormant at the time. Similar to the 2018 season, spring and summer were moderate in temperature and ripening developed gradually and under minimal stress. This year was in fact so similar to 2018 that we began harvest the same day, on September 10th. Unfortunately another wildfire hit the region at the end of October, but luckily none of our vineyards were affected. The winery and many staff were evacuated, but we were able to keep an eye on the new vintage with a skeleton crew. The quality was not impacted and we are very excited at the concentration of flavors in this vintage.

APPELLATION

Fort Ross-Seaview

VARIETALS PLANTED

Pinot Noir

SOIL INFORMATION

Josephine, Goldridge

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Well drained, Clay loam

ROOTSTOCK

101-14, 3309

CLONAL SELECTION

115, 667, 777 and X Clone

YEAR ACQUIRED

1994

YEAR PLANTED

1995

Complex aromas of blueberry, plum and fresh roasted coffee are found in the nose. The superbly balanced palate is mouthwatering and long with flavors of black cherry and a touch of baking spice.