Wine Article
2012 Banshee Pinot Noir Sonoma County
Last edited on 7/5/2015 by alexparr
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After two somewhat challenging (but ultimately rewarding) years, 2012 was an absolute dream vintage. The spring gave us a nice fruit set followed by a moderately warm summer with typically cool mornings and evenings. September brought no real heat spikes or moisture which allowed us to pretty much harvest ultra pure, clean fruit at our leisure.
Our focus remains on cooler, coastal influenced vineyards in and around Occidental, Sebastopol, and the Fort Ross-Seaview areas, where we find clarity, focus, and harmony (for both us and the wine). Even more than in 2011, the Sonoma County Pinot Noir became the fortunate benefactor of our expanding single vineyard offerings. In 2012, declassified barrels from Coastlands, Emmaline, Jack Hill, Rice-Spivak, Tina Marie, Hellenthal, Hurst, Bohemian, and Sullivan Vineyards are all included in the final Sonoma County blend.
This wine was aged for in French oak (20% new, 5% second use, 75% neutral) for 10 months with one racking halfway through elevage.
Tasting Notes
The 2012 Banshee Sonoma County Pinot proudly continues upon the tradition we are building for truly elegant wines that deliver an experience far greater than their price would suggest. The aromatics start in a cool perfumy register that is underlined by a touch of forest floor. In the mouth the wine offers a deft balance between just ripe raspberries and boysenberry against a frame of rhubarb and pine. The 2012 also possesses a sense of coiled energy behind its elegant outward appearance.
Source: Winery website
Our focus remains on cooler, coastal influenced vineyards in and around Occidental, Sebastopol, and the Fort Ross-Seaview areas, where we find clarity, focus, and harmony (for both us and the wine). Even more than in 2011, the Sonoma County Pinot Noir became the fortunate benefactor of our expanding single vineyard offerings. In 2012, declassified barrels from Coastlands, Emmaline, Jack Hill, Rice-Spivak, Tina Marie, Hellenthal, Hurst, Bohemian, and Sullivan Vineyards are all included in the final Sonoma County blend.
This wine was aged for in French oak (20% new, 5% second use, 75% neutral) for 10 months with one racking halfway through elevage.
Tasting Notes
The 2012 Banshee Sonoma County Pinot proudly continues upon the tradition we are building for truly elegant wines that deliver an experience far greater than their price would suggest. The aromatics start in a cool perfumy register that is underlined by a touch of forest floor. In the mouth the wine offers a deft balance between just ripe raspberries and boysenberry against a frame of rhubarb and pine. The 2012 also possesses a sense of coiled energy behind its elegant outward appearance.
Source: Winery website