I thought I’d post a quick update on a few things.  We’re excited to be bottling our ’08 Sauvignon Blanc next week.  It’s just been fined, and the upcoming filtering should remove any residual critters that might spontaneously kick-off an unwanted malolactic conversion.  This should allow us to keep the nice bright acid and vibrant fruit flavors that we saw when the fruit was harvested.

In addition, our ’07 Pinot Noir has been in bottle long enough that it’s probably about ready to drink.  Unlike the Sauvignon Blanc, our Pinot Noirs are unfined and unfiltered so that we don’t effect any of that soft, silky palate that’s developed over time.

In the near term, we’re working on getting our fulfillment systems setup, as well as a proper design for this website.  It’s likely we’ll be up and running commercially a little later this year. This means that after over two years since we started this venture, you’ll finally be able to get your hands on some of our inaugural vintage.

I also thought I’d  give you an idea of how our ’08 Pinot’s are progressing.

Split Rock (Co-fermented blend of Dijon clones 115 and 828)

Color Very good color. Deep reddish-purple.
Aroma Hint of toasty oak and creaminess followed by deep cherry notes. Nice!
Palate Good entry on palate with weight and texture forming. Good red fruit.

Two Pisces (Pommard)

Color Deep, reddish purple
Aroma Smells amazing — Perfumey, cherry fruits, cranberry, touch floral/spice
Palate Good acid and mid-palate concentration, some light weight forming, bright fruits.  Overall, very nice.

We only dealt with the Dijon clones in 2007, so we’ve very excited to see get a comparison of the Dijon and Pommard clones for our 2008′s.  Both barrels were fermented in a nearly identical fashion, and so far, the Pommard clones are trending towards more floral notes, and the Dijon has more cherry concentration and weight.

That’s all for now.  I’ll post again in the next couple weeks once we’re done bottling the Sauvignon Blanc!

Cheers!  ~Brian