2006 Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir

A collaboration between Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni, Garys' Vineyard is one of the top Santa Lucia Highlands' vineyards that has provided exceptional fruit to Morgan Winery for several years.

The Vineyard
Located about 4 miles south of Morgan's Double L Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Garys' Vineyard is planted to the "Pisoni" clone of Pinot Noir. The site is a bit warmer than Double L. There are 42 acres planted to Pinot Noir, at a vine density of 1089 plants per acre. The vineyard was planted in 1997.

Average summer time high temperatures are in the mid to upper 70's. The fruit from this relatively cool, windy site with well-drained loam soils has proven Garys' to be an excellent source for Pinot Noir with Santa Lucia Highlands' core characteristics of red and black fruit with rose petals and spice.

The Vintage
The 2006 vintage started late and ran about a month later than normal, due to a cold, wet spring that delayed the fruit set. The summer weather was typical for the region. The Pinot Noir harvest eventually finished in late October, with average crop loads showing intensely flavored fruit that retained much of its natural acidity.

Vinification and Aging
The grapes are completely de-stemmed. Fermentation, most of which is whole-berry, is in open top fermenters with manual punch down for optimum extraction and structure with soft tannins. The wine is produced entirely from the Pisoni clone.

After fermentation, the wine is transferred to a combination of medium and medium plus toast Burgundy barrels, 50% of which are new, for malo-lactic fermentation and 11 months of aging.

Aromas, Flavors, and Palate Impressions
Medium-deep in color. On the nose, the wine shows cherry, strawberry, blackberry and sweet spice notes. The palate shows additional qualities of strawberry jam and plum. The overall palate impression is of a wine that reflects the cool vintage qualities with its tight integration of fruit, acidity, and tannins, suggesting a wine that will be good for mid-term aging.