Vineyard Profile:
Pinot Meunier is one of the three grape varieties used to produce traditional Champagne where it brings richness, body and longer aging potential to sparkling wines. Rarely bottled on its own, this varietal shines in the cooler climate of the Russian River Valley, where the loamy Goldridge soils and cooling coastal fog create the perfect microclimate for this unusual varietal.

Winemaker’s Notes:
The 2021 Pinot Meunier sets itself apart from Pinot Noir immediately with its bright violet red color bordering on magenta. The vibrant color carries over to the nose, redolent of dried cranberries, morello cherries, cedarwood and cinnamon. On the palate, you can see why this varietal is used to bring complexity to sparkling wines: the balance of acidity to tannins and fruit are impeccable. The vintage was relatively cool and even-ripening with few heat spikes or threats of early rains. The balanced weather comes through in the glass with deliciously soft tannins that finish with drying sassafras and dark chocolate notes that beg for another sip. Though drinking beautifully upon release, those with patience will be rewarded by cellaring the bottling 4-5 years after vintage date to allow the plummy juiciness to mellow and give way to secondary notes of tobacco, leather and wet river rock.

Production: 47 Cases
Alcohol by Volume: 14.2%
pH: 3.52
Titratable Acidity: 5.1
Oak Aging: 50% once filled
Cooperage(s): Mercurey, European Coopers