David Coffaro Vineyard and Winery Winemaker's Diary

Week 44
October 28, 2001 to November 3, 2001 


  Tuesday, October 30, 2001

We have our 2001 Pinot, I mentioned last week, in barrel now. We will probably make only 65 cases, so if any of you are interested, let me know. We will start taking official orders during our pick-up party on November 10th and 11th. The price will be $15 per bottle as long as they last. As usual, there will be no limits. The blend will be 90% Pinot with 7% carignan and 3% zinfandel. I have not tasted the wine yet, but I know it will not be wimpy. We will serve it for the first time on the 10th of November. 

Our 2001 vintage wines will be dramatic. They will be high on acid, which I think is great, with great color, and high concentration. Will they be balanced? I hope so!! This year will be another challenge, and as usual, I am looking forward to the task and what I am confident could be our longest lived wines. 

So far the 2001 Aca Modot components (Cab, Cab franc, malbec, merlot and petite verdot)  are the most impressive. The color and concentration that is evident at this early stage has never been captured before from this site. The alcohol this year will be over 14% while in recent years the alcohol has been in the mid 13% range. The color is even darker than our syrah and petite sirah. 

The components from our three clones of petite sirah are varied with high acid and alcohol as low as 12.7% and as high as 15.3%. I will have fun determining which barrels will go into the zin, estate cuvee and petite sirah. 

Most of our old vine zin is under 14% alcohol, but I do have some lots that are over 15%. Again this will be an interesting challenge. 

The carignan lots are possibly the best we have produced. The concentration of fruit, producing an incredible middle mouth feel, is unsurpassed in any of our past vintages. These barrels are the ultimate ones for blending and also will be the main component this year in two of our wines, our carignan and our new D.C. Cuvee. 

Of course I can't forget the Block 4 which is the best tasting at this stage, because it is already blended since it is a field blend. We have this wine for sale again and we will be selling it until the middle of December. Whatever wine we do not sell by that time will be reserved for our 2001 Estate Cuvee. With what I have to work with, our Estate Cuvee could be our best wine. 

I know It seems like I am excited and writing more like a sales person than usual. BUT I am only trying to be honest as usual. These 2001 wines are going to produce unique blends. All vintages are unique. 1999 wines have dark flavors and 2000 wines have great balance of fruit and the 2001 wines have great color, acid and concentration. Hopefully these wines will make balanced,  great wines. 

Only time will tell. 

 
Dave
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