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1999 Maison Grand Cru Pinot Noir |
 Rutz Cellars Maison Grand Cru designation
represents the best blend of the vintage from select Pinot Noir
vineyards. The 1999 vintage produced outstanding fruit from all of our
vineyard sources including Dutton Ranch, Martinelli Vineyards and Weir
Vineyards. The final blend incorporates 6 vineyards, 12 different lots
and 5 separate yeasts. The grapes were harvested starting October 1st
through October 13th. All lots received a minimum 4-day cold
soak, during which the must was punched down by hand, four times a day
and given an extended maceration of up to four additional days.
The lots were then moved to French oak barrels and after
fermentation were aged in oak for an additional 9 months in the constant
humidity and temperature of the Rutz Cellars caves. The Rutz Cellars
caves are an integral part of the winemaking equation for our Chardonnay
and Pinot Noir wines, providing the optimal fermenting and aging
environment as well as an actual working space. The French oak program
at Rutz Cellars is very extensive and the winery utilizes 4 different
coopers including Louis Latour , Francois Freres, Claude Gillet and
Sequin Moreau, for entry, middle and finishing flavors. The wine is
racked twice and unfined and goes through a very light filtration at
bottling.
The wine is very complex with fully defined fruit aromas, hints of cherries, cinnamon, allspice and sandalwood. Rich oak components complement and balance the focused bouquet, but are never obtrusive. The flavors are full, round and very satisfying with a wonderful middle structure and a long delicious finish. Harvest Dates – October 1-13 pH – 3.53 Alcohol – 13.5% Total Acid – 0.640 g/100m Cases Produced - 2396 |