2015 U.S. Grant Pinot Noir

This was the fourth year of the drought. Small berries and clusters reflected the tough growing conditions and harvest came two weeks earlier than usual due to the lack of soil moisture and heat. Whole cluster fermentations, which had begun to show their distinctive contribution to the unique expression of this site in the 2013 bottles and 2014 barrels, became the standard in 2015 that carries on through all subsequent vintages. Maceration was fairly short and pigeage played no role in 2015, allowing the wine to be supple and generous early.