We first became familiar with the fruit of Hallberg through our work at Gary Farrell. When the opportunity presented itself for us to source grapes from this highly enviable site in 2010, we jumped at the chance to interpret this gorgeous terroir through the lens of Joseph Jewell Wines.
Dry Farmed Pinot Noir
Hallberg Vineyard
Russian River Valley
2018 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
TASTING NOTES: Rich, bing cherry and leather on the nose, with underlying notes of baking spices. On the palate, acid highlights notes of cranberries and Santa Rosa plums, accompanied with traces of cacao nibs and forest floor. The structure is solid; due to the acid and tannin structure, this wine will age exceptionally well in your cellar.
$60
Wine & Spirits Magazine
“This classic Russian River Valley pinot noir comes from a vineyard in the Green Valley, just north of Sebastopol, where Brice Cutrer Jones converted an apple orchard to pinot noir vines. Dry farmed on Gold Ridge soil, it’s now the home vineyard for his Emeritus wines, and the source for this classic Russian River Valley pinot noir. Generous from the moment it’s first poured, with a brash gaminess to its tannins, it develops clarity as it opens with air. Silky and bold, with flavors of ripe cherries and tart cranberries.”
With Goldridge soil and a consistent, gentle slope with prime exposure on the cusp of Green Valley, Hallberg is farmed impeccably by Kirk Lokka. Of special note, the vineyard is dry farmed, meaning that Lokka foregoes irrigation in favor of encouraging the vines to drive their roots deep into the earth in search of precious nourishment, which enhances the vigor of the plants and translates to bolder, more complex fruit.
The 2017 vintage is our 8th release from the Hallberg Vineyard. When we started working with Hallberg back in 2010 the vines were 7 years old and at the time of harvest in 2017 they were 14 years old. We have seen what vine age can do to a wine and this vintage speaks to the maturity of the vines. The vines are still dry farmed, and they only receive water in the form of rainfall. When you combine those two factors, dry farming and mature vine age, we get great balance, concentration, and depth of flavors that always continue to impress us.
