The 2007 Pinot noir is undoubtedly one of the finest we have ever made at El Molino. This was an incredibly rare vintage. Comparisons for us would be the 1996 Chardonnay and the 1999 Pinot noir, but we can’t think of a vintage that suited both varietals as well as 2007. As you have discovered from last year’s Chardonnay release, the 2007 wines show a stupendous amount of dry extract and tannin that is seamlessly integrated on the palate. This results in wines of incredible structure but at the same time great accessibility. These wines will reward cellaring but provide wonderful enjoyment upon release. The aromatics of the Pinot noir express precise red cherry, raspberry and candied strawberry. The fruit is framed by an intense truffle note as well as scorched earth, clove, citrus rind and beach plums. The palate is full, rich and well structured with focused berry compote flavors with powerfully integrated tannins. The finish is fleshy and long, inviting you to return for more. Eighteen months in barrel and a year in bottle have mellowed and refined the tannins giving wonderful enjoyment upon release but this wine will age for 10 years at a canter and we think it will last as long as 18 to 20 years.
The 2008 harvest on the other hand was one of extremes. A record number of frost filled mornings were experienced in January and February 2008 that retarded vine growth and pushed the season back by at least two weeks. To compound issues further, a heat wave during flowering affected fruit set. What resulted were our lowest yields ever with both fruit weight and juice yield down by as much as 40%. After a warm July and August, the harvest began two weeks earlier than usual under mild conditions. We started August 28th and finished quickly on September 6th due to the low yields.
In spite of this and perhaps because of this, the 2008 Chardonnay has great intensity and cut with good viscosity. The nose is dominated by a mineral component of wet stones, salty air and lanolin. The fruit notes are orange marmalade, feijoa and pineapple preserve. The entry on the palate is rich and full, gaining definition as the acid builds to frame the viscous citrus flavors that persist long after the finish. This wine will really sing after a year or two in the cellar and build character and complexity for another decade. Our annual production is down to 700 cases of each. Thank you for your continued support of El Molino as we enter a new decade.
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