2009 Temperance Hill Pinot Noir

Winemaking Notes

The 2009 Temperance Hill shows a very serious side in the nose. A perception of minerality or rocky soil, underlies raspberry and rhubarb fruit with a slight herbal edge of thyme, dill, and tomato leaf.
Surprised that the nose gave no impression or warning of the intensity of fruit and mouthfeel this wine displays! The first sip nearly knocked me off my chair, with fruit intensity, so different than the sheer hedonistic please of the 08 red letter. This is like meeting someone at a party whom you don't notice so much at first, but when you start talking, you find this incredible passion and intelligence and end up talking to them all night long. The fruit is red, like a cherry from the tree or your first taste of raspberry before they are fully ripe. Some cranberry and macerated strawberry with more dried herbal notes of herbs de provence, rosemary, and red plum. This is a very complex wine, finishing with a great core of acidity and long length.