2021 Tondré Pinot Noir
T
his SLH Pinot Noir this has full aromas of cassis and sweet spice with a hint of fresh earth. The palate is lively and rich in dark cherry with subtly toasted french oak and caramel. A smooth finish of terroir-driven hints of clove and blackberry.
Our flagship wine goes with all events, friends, family, and of course a hearty steak.
Medium ruby and deep purple hue with full aromas of cassis and sweet spice with a hint of fresh earth. The palate is rich, nearly full-bodied, with ripe black fruit, subtle spice and vanilla. Toasted oak, leather, and dark cherry is sustained on the midpalate. The finish is complex with balanced acidity and mouth-filling tannins that balance the generous fruit intensity of this wine nicely.
Production Process:
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Grapes are harvested in September. They are hand picked and hand sorted at the vineyard.
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Grapes are destemmed and softly crushed. The must is cold soaked with its skins for 24 hours for a optimal color extraction.
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Afterwards fermentation begins at a controlled temperature with 4-6 daily manual punch downs.
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Once primary fermentation concludes, the wine is pressed and seperated from its skins.
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The wine is then transferred to stainless steel where aging, clarification and body stability can occur.
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After a time determined by our wine maker our Pinot Noir is then transferred into French oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months aging.
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Once bottled, we age for another 3-6 months before releasing for enjoyment.
Food Pairing Notes: As our Pinot is a coastal style with bigger rounder notes, it can hold up to many entrees and fun flavorful dishes. Seared duck breast, wood planked salmon and mushroom burgers are always a hit. For a modern pairing option try a tomahawk steak sandwich! Check out our Instagram reel for a chef demonstration of this unique pairing
Serving Temperature: 55-60°F
Enjoy it within: 5-10 years (can be cellared up to 15)
Recommended Glass: Aroma Collector
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Appellation | Santa Lucia Highlands |
| Vineyard | Tondre Grapefield |
| Harvest Date | 09/11/2021 |
| Aging | French Oak |
| Alcohol | 15.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 09/26/2023 |
| Cases Produced | 250 |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | California |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
In 1997, Tondré Grapefield was planted on 6 ½ acres. It has grown to 104 acres and rests in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highland Appellation, Monterey County.
Joe Alarid currently farms a wide range of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones to ensure that there is a medley of fruit and sufficient Tondré pedigree character to suit vintner stylistic preferences. He also grows a very limited amount of Syrah and Riesling. Included in the broad spectrum of Pinot Noir plantings are clones 115, Pommard 4, 777, 943, 667, 828 and Swan. Chardonnay clones include 76, 96, 543 and New York.
Vignerons regard the Santa Lucia Highlands Appellation as one of the crown jewels of California agriculture for Pinot and Chardonnay grapes. The importance and interdependence of combining grower and vintner is omnipresent for wine quality assurance and protection of a vineyard designation vintage by vintage. Joe carefully chooses vignerons to ensure that wines made from Tondré Grapefield fruit are among the premier wines of the Santa Lucia Highland appellation.
This distinguished appellation has protruding, southeast-facing slopes, strong maritime influences from Monterey Bay and ancient glacial soils consisting of decomposed granite, gravel and sandy loam. The unique location of Tondré Grapefield allows the grapes to have an extended “hang time”, meaning more sunlight on the vine, more grape ripening and sufficient cool-down in the evening to firm up the fruit’s natural acidity. Tondré Grapefield vines have deep soil penetration and mineral extraction giving the grapes distinctively intense flavor.
tondrewines.com
Russ Jones was born in Yosemite National Park, where he spent most of his childhood, until his family moved to Squaw Valley. Russ learned how to ski in Yosemite, but he learned how to race in Squaw. He spent his high school career racing and loving the snow. He and his wife met on the high school race team, where Russ dominated the field. He graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Enology and Viticulture (winemaking and grape growing). He and his wife traveled through Oregon, Washington and Paso Robles after graduation, where he worked at several wineries and perfected the Pinot Noir process. They then moved back to Truckee to start a family, and that is when he decided to make his own wine, using the natural ideal temperatures and humidity of Tahoe to make the wine distinctively unique. His artistic and analytical mind ensures that the science and art in winemaking is used to its potential. With this perfect blending of art and science, Truckee River Winery's wines have exceptional flavors and aromas.
