Kutch Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Mcdougall Ranch 2009

In the pursuit of trying to create the highest quality balanced wines possible, the old saying goes, "wine is made in the vineyard." Following that philosophy, we strive to use well positioned, cold climate sites, having appropriate soils. It has been a challenge to locate and secure such sites, causing our production to grow at a slow but steady pace. Once the fruit is harvested, it is handled with (he utmost care, sorted meticulously and moved only by gravity. We attempt to pursue a minimalist philosophy, trying to provide the purest expression of Pinot Noir from a particular place and time, taking great care not to over-manipulate our wines in the cellar. This minimal interventionalist style of winemaking is reflected in our use of indigenous yeast, minimal acid adjustments, with absence of adding any color enhancing agents. All punch-downs are literally done by the bare hand or by feet. We ferment using only small lots and bulk out our press wine. Using only free-run juice seems to add a note of elegance to our Pinots. Upon completion of fermentation, the wine is gravity flowed into French oak barrels, where they remain unmoved while aging sur lie. The wines are never racked until we are ready to bottle, nearly 16 months after harvest. At Kutch, our wines are allowed to express all of the natural greatness of their vineyard origins. Read less