2014 August West ‘Graham Family Vineyard’ Pinot Noir

Our 2014 Graham Family Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from the third year in a row of drought for California.  Luckily for the Russian River Valley, we had a fairly rainy March which followed completely dry months in January in February.  The March rains were adequate for giving the vines enough water to get them through the growing season.  We ended up harvesting on September 15, which was not as early as many surrounding vineyards in the RRV.  The crop level was back to a “normal” level, after the high yields we saw in 2012 and 2013. 
The blend of the 2014 Graham Pinot is a combination of three Dijon clones and one Swiss clone of Pinot Noir.  667, 777 and 828 are three of the original five clones planted at Graham in 2002.  Clone 23 is the Swiss clone, also known as Mariafeld.  This was added at Graham over the past five years to replace the struggling Swan selection. 
Give this 2014 Graham a little time in the cellar and it should be drinking well by the end of 2016.  It’s reminiscent of the excellent 2009 that came from Graham.  It’s a riper style, but not quite as ripe as our 2008 or 2010.  Enjoy this through 2024, at least, if not longer.