2003 Carlton Hill Estate Pinot Noir

     With a year now under its belt, the 2003 vintage is really beginning to shine. The grape yields for this vintage were once again kept low. Harvested on September 20, 2003, the vineyard produced slightly less than a ton to the acre. We picked the grapes with sugar levels of approximately 24.5 brix and were spared the heat wave that was soon to follow. I guess it is better to be lucky than good.  

    With a year of aging, the wine has become even more elegant and balanced, with ripe raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors and aromas of dried black cherry and spice on the nose. Similar to 2002, we used 30% new oak and the wine was in barrel for approximately 12 months. Both the tannins and acids in this vintage are slightly more pronounced than those in 2002, causing the 2003 vintage to be a slightly bigger wine. This combination should also allow this wine to withstand even greater cellar time. 

    Unfortunately, the 2003 Pinot Noir may be entirely sold out by Christmas. However, while the bar has been set rather high, we are confident the 2004 Carlton Hill Pinot Noir will meet or exceed your expectations.