2023 ‘Joaquinite’ Pinot Noir

Joaquinite is a rare gemstone found in a remote mine deep in the rugged mountains of San Benito County. It is found often alongside the also extremely rare Benitoite and Neptunite. We utilize Pinot Noir from the historic Gimelli Vineyard (aka El Gabilan) in the heart of the limestone (calcite) laden Cienega Valley. These alkaline soils, and strong diurnal shift from the warm day/cold night dynamic that allow the grapes to both ripen and retain freshness. This wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir from two different vineyard blocks planted in 1997.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked and sorted by hand on September 22, 2023. At the winery the grapes were destemmed and fermented spontaneously in redwood vats. Once or twice daily pumpovers were done for a total of 8 days maceration before pressing to tank for settling. After a 24 hr settle, the wines were racked to old barrels for elevage. Racked to tank a month prior to bottling on June 15th, 2024. 439 cases produced. Unfined, unfiltered and bottled with 37 ppm total SO2.

Wine Stats

Varietal Composition: Pinot Noir (100%)

Brix at harvest: 21.8           

Titratable Acidity: 5.4 g/L        

pH: 3.54                          

Residual Sugar: 0.0 g/L              

Alcohol: 12.4%                                           

Fining: none