Wine Article
2006 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Last edited on 8/9/2008 by RedLoverJim
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Region: California: Sonoma
Grade: B-
With a cool and soggy spring, a scorching July heat wave and a rainy October, winemakers and growers in Sonoma County witnessed everything from heat stroke to bunch rot in the vineyards this year. Despite the challenges, however, vintners report that the good ultimately outweighed the bad in 2006.
"This was the year of the vineyard manager, and you really had to be on top of your vineyard," Christine Hanna, owner of Hanna winery said.
The growing season got off to a late start, which turned out to be a good thing when temperatures rose above 100 degrees for a few days in July. The grapes were still hard and green, so sunburn was kept to a minimum. But because of the wet spring, botrytis and mildew were a threat throughout the season. Growers in cooler regions like Carneros, Sonoma Coast and Russian River dodged the bullet if they managed to ripen and harvest their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay before the October rains. Others weren't so lucky.
Fortunately, thicker-skinned grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon generally survived the early rain and managed to achieve good ripeness thanks to the temperate weather that followed. Cabernet and Merlot, particularly in Alexander Valley, are showing dark colors. "Not only are we getting the elegance you'd expect, but there's also power and weight," said Nick Goldschmidt, executive winemaker for Beam Wine Estates, which includes wineries such as Clos du Bois, Geyser Peak and Gary Farrell. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel varied widely by subregion but will generally be more crisp and elegant.
The bright spot is that vintners agreed that 2006 was a top year for Sauvignon Blanc. Consistent sun and a long, cool growing season combined to build complex flavors, whether the wines are tart and citrusy or tropical fruit bombs.
—Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
Grade: B-
With a cool and soggy spring, a scorching July heat wave and a rainy October, winemakers and growers in Sonoma County witnessed everything from heat stroke to bunch rot in the vineyards this year. Despite the challenges, however, vintners report that the good ultimately outweighed the bad in 2006.
"This was the year of the vineyard manager, and you really had to be on top of your vineyard," Christine Hanna, owner of Hanna winery said.
The growing season got off to a late start, which turned out to be a good thing when temperatures rose above 100 degrees for a few days in July. The grapes were still hard and green, so sunburn was kept to a minimum. But because of the wet spring, botrytis and mildew were a threat throughout the season. Growers in cooler regions like Carneros, Sonoma Coast and Russian River dodged the bullet if they managed to ripen and harvest their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay before the October rains. Others weren't so lucky.
Fortunately, thicker-skinned grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon generally survived the early rain and managed to achieve good ripeness thanks to the temperate weather that followed. Cabernet and Merlot, particularly in Alexander Valley, are showing dark colors. "Not only are we getting the elegance you'd expect, but there's also power and weight," said Nick Goldschmidt, executive winemaker for Beam Wine Estates, which includes wineries such as Clos du Bois, Geyser Peak and Gary Farrell. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel varied widely by subregion but will generally be more crisp and elegant.
The bright spot is that vintners agreed that 2006 was a top year for Sauvignon Blanc. Consistent sun and a long, cool growing season combined to build complex flavors, whether the wines are tart and citrusy or tropical fruit bombs.
—Tim Fish, Wine Spectator