Keefer Ranch
2010 Pint Noir

"Eleni and I attended "The Pinot Posse" event in Vail at the beginning of the year spending a pleasant afternoon sampling wine with a dozen or so winemakers that all have Cult status in the biz.  Wine makers at A.P. Vin, Failla, Freeman, Kosta-Browne, Loring, Pali, Siduri all buy  grapes from Keefer Ranch so you know the fruit is great. At the event Keefer Ranch was represented by owner/winemaker Craig Strehlow.  His 2010 Pinot its a favorite of ours and a popular bottle in the shop.  We really love Craig's approach... the wine is elegant and not quite as fruit forward as the wines his clients produce.  If you haven't had  Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir you should try one... its definitely a classic" ...Uncle Jerry

Craig's notes..."This is our fourth vintage and the wines are showing the consistent flavor profile of Keefer Ranch: lovely red fruits and bright acidity evident from the start, with soft tannins and a lingering finish complementing the palate.  

The 2010 is comprised of two clones of Pinot Noir: Swan and Clone 115. On September 22, 2010, we picked the Swan at 24.7 Brix with a pH of 3.41. These numbers are nearly perfect, and the juice's taste proves it!

The Clone 115 was picked a little riper, on September 28, 2010, at 25.1 Brix with a pH of 3.55. We purposely did this to coax out the darker fruit flavors and give the wine a little more complexity. Both clones were aged 17 months in 100% French oak (40% new)."

Bottling took place on April 20, 2012, less than a year ago, so if you choose to enjoy a bottle now, I encourage you to decant this wine before drinking. A little oxygen will open it up and let the aromatics and texture shine through. In terms of ageability, the 2010 should do well in the cellar for at least five years.