Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2017

This remarkable Pinot Noir vintage from the Sonoma Coast brings together the expertise of 16 small, independent family vineyards. The grapes are hand-harvested in the cool of the morning, then carefully sorted to eliminate non-compliant bunches. Once in the cellar, approximately 10% of the bunches are integrated whole in vat, without destemming, to preserve the aromatic purity of the Pinot Noir . Fermentation begins slowly thanks to the use of indigenous yeasts, promoting a faithful expression of the terroir. After fermentation, the wine is transferred to French Burgundy oak barrels (40% new; 60% used) . This wine reveals aromas typical of coastal climates: fresh red fruits , cherry, strawberry, cranberry and blackcurrant. Hints of cinnamon, clove, tobacco and coriander blend delicately with nuances of undergrowth and dried roses. On the palate, the wine is generous, carried by silky tannins and lively acidity, and finishes with a beautiful expression of purity.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa region. At the start of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933 Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained producing wine. It was only from 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition and California was primarily known for the production of fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc...). In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". He sees the greatest French wines opposing the new American wines. This May 24, an unexpected result shakes the world of wine, since to everyone's surprise, it is the United States which wins. However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Even though California largely monopolizes the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and the state of Washington offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.