2001 PINOT GRIGIO
CARNEROS - LAIRD FAMILY VINEYARD

Tasting Notes: Immediate, forward fruit and a ripe, rich mouth, the 2001 Pinot Grigio's persistent aromatics reflect white fruit - lychee, white peach and Asian pear. Its texture is rich and silky, with honey and subtle, cool tropical fruit flavors, bright acidity and a long finish.

Grapes: The 2001 vintage was produced from the Laird Family Vineyard in Sonoma-Carneros, where the Bay winds keep the vineyards cooler. This allows the grapes to develop rich, luscious flavors with low enough sugar and high enough acid. The grapes in these vineyards ripen evenly and develop surprisingly rich flavors at 21-22° brix at harvest.

Vinification: Pinot Grigio is a red grape made as a white wine. The grapes are brought in cold from the early morning harvest in the fog that covers Carneros. They are pressed quickly to avoid red color pickup and then fermented in last year's François Frères Chardonnay barrels to give a hint of oak to enhance the fruit. The barrels allow lees-stirring but little oak is imparted and malo-lactic is not used. After aging three to four months, the wine is bottled. This produces a wine with depth, flavor and great style - meaning all the facets are right.

Notes from Bob Long: Long Vineyards produced Napa Valley's first Pinot Grigio in 1992. We now have many customers who have found that our Pinot Grigio fits in with many wine-serving occasions. Pinot Grigio is not just another light white wine, but a fully developed wine with distinctive aromas and flavors. Pinot Grigio pairs well with ingredients such as balsamic vinegar, coriander, tarragon, sun-dried tomatoes, not friendly with Chardonnay. It is a great match with fried calamari or any fritto misto.

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