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
2007, ahh the memories. What a vintage! The statement ‘Vintage of the Century’ is thrown about far too often, but 2007 certainly is in the running. Moderate temperatures and a light crop were the primary factors in the success of the vintage. The wines really seemed to make themselves. Moderate alcohol, good acidity and tannin levels combined with fantastic concentration are the hallmarks of this superlative vintage. The wines should drink well in their youth but seem to be great candidates for aging.

Vineyards
We sourced Pinot Noir from our Rapley Trail and Windy Hill estate vineyards for this bottling. The vineyards are relatively close in proximity, but produce grapes whose resulting wine is distinctly different. This bottling features the highlights of both vineyards and blends their unique characteristics into a delicious wine in its own right. The Fogarty Estate lies on Skyline Blvd., perched overlooking the Silicon Valley. The mountain-top estate sees drastic changes in temperature and lies on some wonderfully interesting and shallow soils. The interaction of climate and soil allow for the production of magnificently interesting and distinctive Pinot Noir.

Winemaking
We have been tirelessly refining the winemaking practices for our SCM Pinot Noir. This vintage represents the culmination of our efforts and is representative of the emerging style of Fogarty Pinot Noir. We ferment all of our Pinot Noir in small lots, ranging from .5-3 tons. We utilize between 25-50% whole clusters and ferment the wines without the addition of yeast. Our maceration period lasts from 14-21 days, including a 3-7 day cold soak. We separate the press fraction at the press, this allows us to decide on its inclusion at a later date. We age our Pinot Noir in 3 year air dried French Oak from the forests of Bertranges, Allier and Troncais. The 2007 Estate Pinot Noir rested in 44% new oak for 18 months. Bottled unfiltered

Tasting Notes
The 2007 Estate Pinot Noir is one suave Pinot Noir. Red fruits, cola and spice dominate the nose. The mouth is lush with mineral-tinged tannins that are rounded and mouth-coating. With all the supple weight this wine drinks very well in its youth. Slight hints of vanilla and spice from aging in tight-grained French Oak accent the fruit and vineyard spice. The silky texture and depth on the palate allow for this wine to be drunk now or cellared for the mid-term, 4-8 years.

TECHNICAL DATA:

APPELATION
Santa Cruz Mountains

WINEMAKING TEAM
Michael Martella and Nathan Kandler

DISTANCE TO THE OCEAN
Less than 10 Miles

CLIMATE
Cool, Mountain, Maritime

SOILS
Multiple loams, Well-Drained,
Very Shallow, Fractured Shale

VINEYARDS
70% Rapley Trail Estate Vineyard
30% Windy Hill Estate Vineyard

Finished alcohol: 14.3%
Acid/pH: .55/3.85
Oak Treatment: 100% French 18 Months, 44% New Oak
Total production: 388 cases
Retail price: $35