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Greetings Dain Wines Mailing List Members!
We are very pleased to report a number of good things today.
First things first, for those of you that elected to purchase wine this year, everything is picked and packed and ready for shipping!
Shipping will occur on November 6th. You may have received notification from FedEx regarding an October pick up date but do not be concerned, no wine will leave storage before November 6th. Those of you living in Southern states will have your wine shipped after Thanksgiving (unless you elected 2nd day) to avoid high temperatures. Those of you living in non-reciprocal states will receive your wine via Buffalo Shipping to make things all legal.
More good news!
All of our 2006 pinot is resting comfortably in barrel.Ê Just settling down for a long winterÕs nap. Of course I will not be able to quote alcohol, final ph or acidity levels until malolactic fermentation is complete but I see some similarity to the 2005 vintage in terms of reasonable alcohol levels and good acidity. I think the key will be to extract flavor and not excessive tannin, hopefully we have succeeded! So far, so good based on a quick taste of all barrels last Saturday night.
A few words about the individual wines and vineyards for 2006 Dainish pinot:
Amber Ridge will return to the line up of course for "American Beauty". This year we used a mix of 115 and 777 clones as I believe these are my personal favorites from this vineyard. We will be using 25% new French oak from Francois Frere, Alliers forest, medium toast. RC212 yeast consistent with our previous protocol for this RRV site. 100 cases estimated.
Hein Vineyard will also be back for our "Savage Juliet" offering. A mix of Pommard and Dijon clones from this pillar of the Anderson Valley vineyard community. Francois Frere is the cooper of choice here as well with 25% new and some 1 year old barrels as well. Native yeast performing their magic here. 100 cases estimated.
Wentzel Vineyard, a new addition to the stable. We went long, so to speak in the Anderson Valley this year. This site is managed by Casey Hartlip and other wineries that make wine from this vineyard include the ever popular Copain and Sean Thackrey. Not Bad Company (sorry, canÕt help the pun) IMHO. Native yeast at work again, 25% new French oak from Remond. Love Remond spice! 100 cases estimated.
Brosseau Vineyard, what a Dandy site this is! This wine has dark berry fruit and minerals evident and has completed malolactic fermentation. Assmanhausen yeast and Francois Frere 50% new are the order of the day. 50 cases estimated.
Last and certainly not least, Rancho Ontiveros for our Rebel! Yields were way down this year and we will have only 50 cases or so to share. Native yeast and Remond oak, all one year old barrels, for this offering. Dark color and dark spice typical of this vineyard are already evident.
More notes on our syrah will follow soon. I know I owe everyone a survey regarding service preferences. We love to hear from you and will get that out soon.
For your viewing pleasure I have included a few jpg files of some of our friends from Pinot Days and friends in the vineyard. That is Susan looking wonderful in her Dain Wines T-shirt and Yumi with me at Amber Ridge and Makoto and me at Crushpad. I am the goofy looking guy with the beard.
Health, Grace and Peace,
Dain
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