Wines> Library Wines> 2002 Arcus Estate Pinot Noir
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ORIGIN: Arcus, meaning "bow" in Latin, describes our estate vineyard that wraps around both sides of a small valley in the Red Hills of Dundee. Capturing the distinctive terroir, this single vineyard wine rewards Pinot Noir devotees with an expansive nose, compelling mid-palate, elegant finish, and superior expression of true Pinot Noir.
VINEYARD: The vines at Arcus Estate are planted on a very steep slope that complicates farming, but produces intensely flavored, rich fruit. This wine was made from 1978 and 1986 plantings of self-rooted Pommard clones blended with Dijon clones 114 and 777 grown on South, Southwest and West facing slopes. The grapes in Arcus Estate were harvested in mid to late September to mid October of 2002. No rainfall throughout the end of the growing season paired with an extended dry spell helped achieve flavor ripeness. Without rain to contend with, the grapes were left to hang until the flavor maturity was brought up to perfection. The 2002 vintage shows unbelievable balance and eloquence.
WINEMAKING: A unique finesse was achieved by the delicate and gentle handling of grapes throughout the winemaking process in our 100% gravity flow facility. The fermentation for the 2002 Arcus Estate was conducted in the traditional Archery Summit style. Using 25% whole clusters, the fruit was soaked cold for five days before primary fermentation was allowed to proceed. Primary fermentation was conducted in tank entirely by indigenous yeasts, during which time tanks were manually punched down up to four times per day. After primary fermentation the wine was sent to barrel by gravity and then aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 10 months prior to bottling in September 2003.
TASTING NOTES: This wine offers aromas of blackberry, black cherry, violet and anise seed. The palate bursts with flavors of red currant, bright cherry, dried blue fruits, cocoa and earth. The mid palate is layering of complex floral and fruit flavors enveloping a singular core of minerality. The tannins and oak are well integrated and lend power and depth to this compelling and fruit driven wine. The finish is long and persists with notes of cherry and rose hips creating a powerful and complex whole which is ready to be enjoyed now and for the next five to ten years.
This vintage produced 2,377 six-bottle cases. 120 magnums, and 40 3-liter bottles.