
2017 Chalone Vineyard Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Chalone AVA
Winemaker Notes
“Chalone isn’t a label; it’s a place on earth.” The wines speak to the limestone and decomposed granite soils that are specific to this wild, isolated mountain plateau in Monterey County. The low-nutrient soils make the vines struggle and give the wines unique minerality; the diurnal temperature swings and cool winds retain acidity; the intense sunshine builds flavors and tannin structure; and the age of our vines enhances the wines’ concentration, complexity, and ageability.
Composition
100% Pinot Noir
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Chalone AVA
Acid
6.1 g/L
pH
3.63
Aging
12 months in French oak, 60% new
Residual Sugar
0.24 g/L
Alcohol %
14.5
Production Notes
The 2017 vintage yielded an average amount of rainfall overall, however approaching harvest we
experienced incredible heat spikes with temperatures above 110°F for more than two weeks. A sudden
temperature increase during this critical time makes for a swift harvest as sugar levels spike resulting in
the entire vineyard ripening simultaneously. All of these factors amounted to a very condensed harvest,
similar to the year prior.
Vineyard Notes
The thin, limestone-rich soils of Chalone Vineyard produce low yields of grapes bursting with rich, intense
flavors and impeccable balance. Year after year, our Estate Pinot Noir exemplifies the impeccable structure and flavor complexity imparted by old vines budded to heritage clones; and the 2017 vintage is no different. This Pinot Noir hails from the Vista and Reservoir blocks of our estate vineyards. The name of
the Chalone American Viticultural Area (AVA), like that of the winery, comes from the name of a tribe of
Native Americans who once inhabited this isolated area.