The wines from Kalin has soft corks and should be opend with an Ahh-So, also notice that wines with 10 years or more of age is not reimbursed in case of fault.
"The swan song vintage of Terry and Frances Leighton's Pinot Noir from the Demostene Ranch, the 2000 Pinot Noir Cuvée DD is showing beautifully, unwinding in the glass with a complex bouquet of ripe cherries, exotic spices, grilled game and rich forest floor that evokes many of the aromatic tells one associates with the great wines of the Côte de Nuits, lent a gentle Californian accent by a subtle top note of eucalyptus. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with muscular structure, racy acids and considerable sapid and savory nuance, concluding with a long and penetrating finish. The most successful Cuvée DD since the 1997, the 2000 is still youthful and firm at the core and will reward further cellaring. This is a brilliant wine from one of California's most idiosyncratic artisanal wineries."
94+Robert Parker
Vineyard:
2000 CUVÉE DD SONOMA PINOT NOIR - Stealth Cuvee!
The grape source is Demostene Ranch located in the Alexander Valley. The vineyard is the oldest Pinot Noir plantation in this region, and was established with a clone which produces small berries and low yields. The soil is a mixture of clay, silt and limestone. The vineyard is dry farmed and within one mile of the Russian River.
Winemaking and Cellar Practices:
The fully mature grapes were hand-picked, sorted, and crushed. The must was fermented on the skins in wooden cuves for three weeks. The cap was punched down by hand three to four times each day. The must was pressed, settled and transferred to fifty percent new French oak barrels. Following the completion of malolactic fermentation, the wine was bottled without racking, fining or filtration in April 2002.
Characteristics:
Demostene Ranch traditionally produces intense wines which possess exceptional fruit definition, combined with a richly textured palate and great length of finish. The particular vineyard characteristics are reminiscent of violets, wild red fruits (cassis and cherries), exotic oriental spices, sous-bois, etc.