Wine Article
2005 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Scallop Shelf Estate
Last edited on 2/21/2009 by markellen.foodies@gmail.com
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Vanessa's Notes:
Peay vineyards
2005 scallop shelf estate pinot noir, Sonoma coast
As the new blocks of Pinot noir came into their 5th and 6th leaf in 2005, Vanessa had a large variety of lots
to choose from when making the Peay Estate Pinot noir. As blending trials began, two distinct styles leapt
into view. To capture their unique expressions, we bottled them separately as Estate wines and assigned
cuvee names redolent of our vineyard’s previous lives.
Scallop Shelf is a tribute to our hill top’s earlier residence in the deep ocean prior to the uplifting that
formed the coastal range. The 2005 Scallop Shelf Estate’s nose is concentrated with aromas of dark cherry
and plum framed by orange peel and lead. The depth of aromas is truly profound. The mouth has
medium to full body with breadth and volume though it is not heavy or cloying. The classic cherry notes
come from the predominance of Pommard clone Pinot noir bolstered by pluminess from clone 115. As a
result the flavors are on the border between red and black fruit. The wine maintains the crisp acidity and
relatively low alcohol that are the hallmark of our vineyard yet delivers a full mouth feel and
concentration rare in a wine of this profile. The finish is very long with soft tannins that will subside with
aging. Flavors of forest floor, mushroom and dried cherry linger on the palate long after the last sip. The
Scallop Shelf is built to last and will not fall apart as secondary aromas develop with bottle age. Drink one
now after a 45 minute decant to gauge the style and cellar the remainder for at least 3-5 years and longer.
Winemaking Notes
Clones: Pommard (46%), 115 (23%), 777 (15%,) Swan (8%), 828 (4%)
Harvest dates: September 27 th – October 5 th
Processing: Destemmed and fermented, whole berry, into 1 and 3 ton open top
fermenters. 4 day cold soak followed by 9 to 16 day fermentation
Aging: 42% new François Frères, Ermitage, Damy, Cadus, Remond, and
Rousseau French oak barriques for 11 months
Production: 600 cases
Peay Vineyards
Peay Vineyards is located in the northwestern corner of the “true” Sonoma Coast approximately 4 miles
from the Pacific Ocean near Sea Ranch. The vineyard sits high on a south facing hilltop formed by the
Wheatfield Fork of the Gualala River. The soil type is Ohlson formation. This 10 million year old
sediment formation is comprised of fine, silty sand and 20-30% clay in the sub soils. The nutrient poor soil
is very low vigor. Our climate is warm/mild during the day and cool/cold at night with average
temperatures in the mid 70s. The vines sit at 900 feet often enveloped by the coastal fog in the morning
that shoots up the canyon from the ocean. Every afternoon a cool coastal breeze blows in and keeps
temperatures moderate. These factors account for our long growing season that can lead to greater
development of phenological components of ripeness, fruit complexity and expression of terroir.
We planted the first 30 acres of our 48 acre vineyard in 1998 with the remaining planted in 2001 and 2002.
We grow and produce Pinot noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier and Roussanne/Marsanne. 2001 was our
first vintage. Case production is extremely limited. We sell fruit to a handful of premier wineries
including Williams Selyem and Failla Wineries. Our winemaker and partner is Vanessa Wong, formerly
winemaker at Peter Michael Winery.
Tasting Notes Spiring 2009 Newsletter: Drink-Hold to 2013
The 2005 Scallop Shelf has become a staple at Peay Wine dinners as it clearly makes a permanent statement about the style of Pinot Noir we wish to make. It remains bright with fresh rasberry, tamarind, and orange peel aromas supported by sandalwood and copper notes. It is more floral than on release, and not as lifted on the nose as the 2005 Pomarium. The mouth confirms the nose with a touch of soft tannins that still need a few more years to fully resolve. The wine is superbly balanced with refreshing acidity and an elelgance that causes pause. Drink abottle now and hold the rest to see how it evlolves.
Peay vineyards
2005 scallop shelf estate pinot noir, Sonoma coast
As the new blocks of Pinot noir came into their 5th and 6th leaf in 2005, Vanessa had a large variety of lots
to choose from when making the Peay Estate Pinot noir. As blending trials began, two distinct styles leapt
into view. To capture their unique expressions, we bottled them separately as Estate wines and assigned
cuvee names redolent of our vineyard’s previous lives.
Scallop Shelf is a tribute to our hill top’s earlier residence in the deep ocean prior to the uplifting that
formed the coastal range. The 2005 Scallop Shelf Estate’s nose is concentrated with aromas of dark cherry
and plum framed by orange peel and lead. The depth of aromas is truly profound. The mouth has
medium to full body with breadth and volume though it is not heavy or cloying. The classic cherry notes
come from the predominance of Pommard clone Pinot noir bolstered by pluminess from clone 115. As a
result the flavors are on the border between red and black fruit. The wine maintains the crisp acidity and
relatively low alcohol that are the hallmark of our vineyard yet delivers a full mouth feel and
concentration rare in a wine of this profile. The finish is very long with soft tannins that will subside with
aging. Flavors of forest floor, mushroom and dried cherry linger on the palate long after the last sip. The
Scallop Shelf is built to last and will not fall apart as secondary aromas develop with bottle age. Drink one
now after a 45 minute decant to gauge the style and cellar the remainder for at least 3-5 years and longer.
Winemaking Notes
Clones: Pommard (46%), 115 (23%), 777 (15%,) Swan (8%), 828 (4%)
Harvest dates: September 27 th – October 5 th
Processing: Destemmed and fermented, whole berry, into 1 and 3 ton open top
fermenters. 4 day cold soak followed by 9 to 16 day fermentation
Aging: 42% new François Frères, Ermitage, Damy, Cadus, Remond, and
Rousseau French oak barriques for 11 months
Production: 600 cases
Peay Vineyards
Peay Vineyards is located in the northwestern corner of the “true” Sonoma Coast approximately 4 miles
from the Pacific Ocean near Sea Ranch. The vineyard sits high on a south facing hilltop formed by the
Wheatfield Fork of the Gualala River. The soil type is Ohlson formation. This 10 million year old
sediment formation is comprised of fine, silty sand and 20-30% clay in the sub soils. The nutrient poor soil
is very low vigor. Our climate is warm/mild during the day and cool/cold at night with average
temperatures in the mid 70s. The vines sit at 900 feet often enveloped by the coastal fog in the morning
that shoots up the canyon from the ocean. Every afternoon a cool coastal breeze blows in and keeps
temperatures moderate. These factors account for our long growing season that can lead to greater
development of phenological components of ripeness, fruit complexity and expression of terroir.
We planted the first 30 acres of our 48 acre vineyard in 1998 with the remaining planted in 2001 and 2002.
We grow and produce Pinot noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier and Roussanne/Marsanne. 2001 was our
first vintage. Case production is extremely limited. We sell fruit to a handful of premier wineries
including Williams Selyem and Failla Wineries. Our winemaker and partner is Vanessa Wong, formerly
winemaker at Peter Michael Winery.
Tasting Notes Spiring 2009 Newsletter: Drink-Hold to 2013
The 2005 Scallop Shelf has become a staple at Peay Wine dinners as it clearly makes a permanent statement about the style of Pinot Noir we wish to make. It remains bright with fresh rasberry, tamarind, and orange peel aromas supported by sandalwood and copper notes. It is more floral than on release, and not as lifted on the nose as the 2005 Pomarium. The mouth confirms the nose with a touch of soft tannins that still need a few more years to fully resolve. The wine is superbly balanced with refreshing acidity and an elelgance that causes pause. Drink abottle now and hold the rest to see how it evlolves.