Croix Estate Ol’ Manzana Pinot Noir, Dutton-Manzana Vineyard, Green Valley, Russian River Valley
WINEMAKER'S RECORD
A full, bold style of Pinot Noir, the nose opens with aromatic concentrations of blue herbs, wild flowers, allspice and a dash of fresh earth. The mouthfeel instantly engages the intellect with exotic expansiveness, tongue curling acidity, and a savory glode that finishes with substantial length on the palate. Full, yet balanced to perfection, this wine rewards the senses over and over again with each sip.
WAYPOINT GRAPE VARIETY(S): 100% Pinot Noir Clone 777 & 828
The Vineyards | Dutton-Manzana Vineyard, Green Valley
Located in the Green Valley sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley, just across Purrington Creek outside of the town of Graton, the Manzana Vineyard is planted on a gently sloped hillside composed of Goldridge soils. The name “Manzana,” Spanish for apple, honors the area’s long heritage of apple orchards. Manzana’s hillside vineyard is eastern facing, which is optimal for ripening Pinot Noir in cooler growing regions. Planted to clone Dijon 828 and Dijon 115 in 2001, this vineyard sits on a sloped foundation of Goldridge soil with ideal drainage into Purrington Creek. The vineyard is a certified Sonoma County Sustainably-Farmed and Fish-Friendly vineyard. The site produces moderately sized vines with small clusters. Cool growing conditions due to the morning fog allow the Pinot Noir to ripen slowly, developing tannic acids overtime that lead to pure balance in the fruit base. Of all of the Pinot Noirs we produce, Manzana has proven to be the Pinot Noir that will stand the test of time. Our first vintage produced from thie vineyard was 2012 and has been nothing but impressive ever since. To this day, the 2012 vintage continues to be fresh, full, and alive with very little oxidation in color or body, a testament to the pedigree of the site. While certainly fuller in style than most Green Valley centered Pinot Noirs, our Manzana Pinot Noir is the most esoteric, terroir driven Pinot Noir within our portfolio that has the capacity, in optimal vintages, to age for 15+ years.
PRODUCTION ESSENTIALS
Method | Open Top Fermentation, 5-day cold soak, 100% carbonic maceration with hand punch-downs, transfer via Gravity Flow to French Oak
Utilizing Utilizing 100% Native Yeast Primary and Secondary Fermentations.
Aging Regimen | 50% New French Oak
Aging | 16 Months | 6 Barrels