2018 Castalia Pinot Noir Rochioli Vineyard Russian River Valley

WSI94 Beautiful nose, delicate hints of rhubarb and blueberries. The palate is vibrant, with delicate dark cherry and rhubarb, soft tannins and a fresh finish. The wine is an ode to Russian River, with just hints of natural vanilla and a deft use of wood that is perfect. Delightful!

I first made Pinot Noir as a home winemaker in 1985. I have been employed at Rochioli Winery since 1990 and worked the 1988 & 1989 crush, and have been Cellar Master at Rochioli for the last twenty-eight years. I created the Castalia label in 1992. The 2017 and 2018 vintages produced 250 cases each. The wine was kept for 15 months in oak, 25% new, all French. This has given the wine a much softer feel at release. As always the wine is 100% from the Rochioli vineyards. The Flad Vinyard was planted to the West Block Clone back in the late 1980s and also from the River Block, a West Block clone planted at the same time. These blocks give my wine its special character. The rest of the wine is from Dejon clones 777,115 and 667 from three different vinyards. This wine should age for at least ten years and be in it’s prime in from 4 to 7 years. Castalia Pinot Noir possesses the full-bodied complexity and subtle cherry essence that are so typical of the finest Russian River Pinot Noirs. Many fine restaurants in the greater Bay Area have recognized that reputation by serving Castalia Pinot Noir year after year.

Winemaker, Terry Bering:
I first made Pinot Noir as a home winemaker in 1985. I have been employed at Rochioli Winery since 1990 and worked the 1988 & 1989 crush, and have been Cellar Master at Rochioli for the last twenty-eight years. I created the Castalia label in 1992. 

The 2017 vintage produced 250 cases. The wine was kept for 15 months in oak, 25% new, all French. This has given the wine a much softer feel at release. As always the wine is 100% from the Rochioli vineyards. The Flad Vinyard was planted to the West Block Clone back in the late 1980s and also from the River Block, a West Block clone planted at the same time. These blocks give my wine its special character.
The rest of the wine is from Dejon clones 777,115 and 667 from three different vinyards. This wine should age for at least ten years and be in it’s prime in from 4 to 7 years. 

Castalia Pinot Noir possesses the full-bodied complexity and subtle cherry essence that are so typical of the finest Russian River Pinot Noirs.