2005 de Coelo
Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast

Wine Notes [PDF]

Tasting Notes: Aromas of dark red cherry, boysenberry and leather introduce this old world-style Pinot Noir of earth and spice. In the mouth, the wine reveals its rich velvetiness and balanced acidity. The finish is long and clean. Serve this cool-climate Pinot with hearty seafood, savory mushroom dishes, pork or roast turkey.

Vineyard: Our de Coelo (day-chay-lo) estate vineyard is perched on a rugged hilltop five miles from the Pacific Ocean, where rocky, shallow soils and the cooling fog off Bodega Bay create ideal conditions for exceptional Pinot Noir. Because of the very cool temperatures in this part of the Sonoma Coast, the 25-acre, certified-Biodynamic de Coelo is truly on the edge of where Pinot Noir will grow. The vineyard’s name means “that which is from heaven”—a moniker befitting an estate that nurtures intensely flavorful fruit and a wine of complexity, rich concentration and a strong backbone.

Vintage: What began as a heartbreakingly difficult growing season with a cold, wet spring and periodic rains throughout the summer, would become one of Sonoma’s most surprising standout vintages. As harvest approached, we knew that a single rainy day could cost us the vintage. But instead of rain, we got a miracle: 30-plus days of perfect Indian summer. What’s more, the grapes continued to gain weight late in the year, which slowed and lengthened the ripening process. This bit of serendipity combined with great weather brought our grapes to optimal ripeness. We picked the last grapes on November 11—the latest ever for us in Sonoma. A truly exceptional harvest, 2005 saw both exquisite quality and superb yields.

Winemaking: To preserve the rich vineyard character of this Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, our winemaker begins by cold soaking the fruit for two to three days. Fermentation occurs in small open-top fermentors, where the grapes are punched down by hand two to three times per day. This wine was aged in French oak for 14 months.

Benziger Farming Practices: At Benziger Family Winery, we are dedicated to winemaking that reveals the true character of the vineyard, the varietal and the vintage in certified-sustainable, -organically grown and -Biodynamic® wines defined by individuality and the passion of the people who make them. Through our commitment to natural farming and environmentally and socially responsible business practices, we strive for sustainability and the preservation of our Sonoma Mountain family winery for generations to come.

This wine is in transition to Biodynamic and was made with grapes grown by sustainable farming methods. (With the 2005 vintage, this wine will be certified Biodynamic.) Our sustainable philosophy promotes natural vineyard management, restoration of the land and biodiversity on the estate. We believe these practices result in wines that reflect the authentic flavors, aromas and character of the vineyard.