2015 Campbell Ranch Pinot Noir
En route to coastal Campbell Ranch Vineyard, one might ask, “Is this the right road?” A resounding “yes” would follow, if speaking with vintner Dan Kosta, who has made the difficult 2-hour drive along the Sonoma Coast many, many times. At approximately 750 feet above sea level, the vineyard sits right at the boundary of the marine layer in the remote coastal mountains above Annapolis, California. The marine influence ensures that the cool, coastal climate delays ripening well beyond the warmer vineyards to the east. The fifteen-year-old vines grow on sandy, low-vigor Goldridge soil, which helps reduce yields to near two tons per acre.
The trifecta of soil, climate, and farming makes Campbell Ranch a supreme candidate for a single vineyard bottling. This unique wine is expressive of the place in which it was grown, with aromas of strawberry, vanilla, wilted rose and cedar emanating from the glass. The palate offers a beam of bright cranberry, rainier cherry and red apple skin knit together with well-structured tannins and hints of fresh sage, pine needles, and cumin. An elongated, lingering finish echoes tones of cranberry, vanilla, and spice.
Useful Facts
| Winemaker: | Shane Finley | |
| Appellation: | Sonoma Coast | |
| Vineyards: | Campbell Ranch | |
| Clones: | 777 | |
| Harvest Date: | September 5, 2015 | |
| Harvest Brix: | 25.2 | |
| Barrel Aging: | 25% new French Oak, 15 months – Boutes and Taransaud coopers | |
| pH: | 3.54 | |
| TA: | 6.2 g/L |
2015 Limerick Lane Zinfandel
As a vintner, there are ‘wine moments’ that make you stop and think. Dan Kosta, who has enjoyed many ‘wine moments’ in his life, remembers his early Zinfandel experiences fondly. For him, Zinfandel has always been intriguing and full of potential. So when Jake Bilbro, grower of Limerick Lane Vineyard, offered to collaborate on a new wine for AldenAlli with Dan, it was like a dream come true. Limerick Lane Vineyard could not be positioned more perfectly for Zinfandel maturation. Its southern and western exposures, clay and rock soils, and greater than average diurnal shifts create an ideal viticultural environment, which just so happens to be farmed by an expert and a friend.
The stunning Zinfandel fruit from Limerick Lane in 2015 deserved its limelight, and so it is bottled as a single vineyard expression. With a pretty violet color in the glass, this opulent wine opens with an inviting nose of raspberries, cherry pits, and sandalwood. Layers of black cherry cola, blueberry, blood orange and graphite rest upon firm tannins, making this agreeable wine a particularly good candidate for cellar aging.
Useful Facts
| Winemaker: | Shane Finley | |
| Appellation: | Russian River Valley | |
| Vineyards: | Limerick Lane | |
| Harvest Date: | August 21, 2015 | |
| Harvest Brix: | 25.8 | |
| Barrel Aging: | 25% new French Oak, 15 months – Rousseau and Boutes coopers | |
| pH: | 3.51 | |
| TA: | 6.8 g/L |
2015 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
On the true Sonoma Coast, rugged beauty abounds. There is still wildness here. Farming in this region must be in tune with the environment; and AldenAlli is fortunate to work with exceptional growers who understand this unique terrain.
Our 2015 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a cuvee of three stunning vineyards that encapsulate both the southern portion of the appellation and the true coastal zone to the north. From the south, the Petaluma Wind Gap and the San Pablo Bay drive cooler temperatures that provide rich textured wines with deep flavor. In the north, vineyards from the coastal reaches contribute more of the savory and spice characteristics as well as structure and finesse.
California’s statewide drought persisted throughout the 2015 vintage. In the vineyards, quality won out over volume. With Pinot Noir in particular, this vintage is characterized by small production and graceful, elegant wines with intense flavor.
With a deep garnet color in the glass, this wine reveals cranberry character with notes of red apple skin, maraschino cherries, and pluot. A palate of dark cherries, with hints of sandalwood, star anise and tarragon, is supported by seamless tannins and bright acidity. Drink now through 2025.
Useful Facts
| Winemaker: | Shane Finley | |
| Appellation: | Sonoma Coast | |
| Vineyards: | Campbell Ranch, Marimar Torres, Pengrove | |
| Clones: | 115, 777, Pommard, Swan, and 828 | |
| Harvest Date: | Sept 2nd -22nd | |
| Harvest Brix: | 23.5 – 26.0 | |
| Barrel Aging: | 40% new French Oak, 10 months – Rousseau, Taransaud, Boutes, Sirugue coopers | |
| pH: | 3.55 | |
| TA: | 6.1 g/L |