About Fogarty
Few wine regions on earth can match Santa Cruz Mountains’ climates, soils and vertigo-inspiring views. Set high in the mountains overlooking California’s Silicon Valley, the Thomas Fogarty winery has been making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet from the SCM appellation since 1981. Fogarty’s two estates are divided into micro-vineyards, ranging from .25 to 5.25 acres, based on soil and topography. All are maritime (12-18 miles to Pacific), cool-climate (Regions I and II), high-elevation (1600-2300 feet), low yielding (1-3 tons per acre) and mountainous. The winery was founded by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, a Stanford cardiovascular surgeon and world-renowned inventor.

Vintage
With some of the lowest yields in recent memory, 2005 will go down as one of our most successful and demanding vintages. Poor weather throughout California in the spring resulted in poor fruit set and consequently lower yields. Low yields and a perfect weather during prime ripening weather allowed us to harvest perfectly ripe fruit that was packed with concentrated flavors, yielding wines with delicious fruit.

Vineyards
The Michaud vineyard lies in one of the more unique growing regions in California -- Monterey County’s arid Chalone appellation. Its granite and limestone based soils are unique and well-suited to the production of world-class Pinot Noir. Michael Michaud, former winemaker at Chalone Winery, farms his vineyard with love and care. He is one of the ‘good guys’ in the industry and we consider ourselves very lucky to make wine from such outstanding fruit.

Winemaking
Following early an early morning harvest we cold-soaked the grapes for 5-7 days for the gentle extraction of color and flavor. The Michaud fruit often has the highest tannin levels of all our Pinot; this is reflected in our fermentation management. We drain-down the juice off the skins and seeds 1-2 times per day, This gravity-driven “drain-over” provides a more our most gentle method of extraction than a traditional punch down. We finish the wine in 60% new French Oak for 18 months.

Tasting Notes
Fairly dark and loaded with black cherry and black tea flavors, our 2005 Michaud Pinot is the product of miniscule yields and hands-off winemaking. The palate is broad and structured, featuring black fruits and hints of toast and clove. Fairly tight, this wine seems to be built for at least medium-term cellaring (up to six years). It also benefits from decanting prior to serving.

TECHNICAL DATA:

Appellation
Chalone

WINEMAKER
Michael Martella

VINEYARDS
100% Michaud Vineyard

Finished alcohol: 14.9%
Acid/pH: .55/3.8
Oak treatment: 60% New French
Barrel Treatment: 18 months
Total production: 120 cases
Retail price: $45.00