"Bone-Jolly"
2003 Gamay Noir
El Dorado County
Our second vintage of Bone-Jolly is even better than the first! The
depth of flavor, and abundance of perfume in the '03 are a wonder to
behold. I'm attracted to Gamay by the perfume, and the innately high
acidity, the brightness and structure that typifies its best wine.
Gamay, if it's right, is never heavy; it is, in fact, light. Don't be
fooled, though; Zorro was light on his feet, but he left his mark! This
wine dances like Fred and Ginger, and it just might sweep you off your
feet! The true test of a Gamay wine is whether you can bring yourself
to stop drinking it without calling the police.
VINEYARD SOURCE: Witters Vineyard, at 3400' elevation,
above Camino, in El Dorado County, planted, at my instigation, by Ron
Mansfield, who also farms Wylie and
Fenaughty vineyards for us. The
elevation, the slope to the north, and the volcanic clay-loam soil all
work together to produce grapes that will ripen fairly slowly, which is
critical for the development of perfume and finesse.
WINEMAKING NOTES: Grapes picked September 2, and destemmed into small,
open-top vessels, cap punched down 2-3 times daily. Cuvaison 10 days,
pressed into 17 year old French puncheons. Racked in March, '04, after
malolactic completed in barrel, into stainless steel. Bottled in April,
'04.
WINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: It's a pretty ruby red color. The nose sings
wild strawberry, and just a whiff of wild raspberry, a dash of black
pepper, a background note of forest floor and clay. On the palate, the
wine is juicy and fresh, and the perfume simply explodes across the
palate. Flavors have exceptional depth, and purity, and the finish is
long and fine. I drank the wine, the last time, with roasted chicken and
Caesar salad, but I've had it, as well, with grilled salmon, and with
Saucisson, and the pleasure, each time, was right down to the bone!
PRODUCTION: 185 cases
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $17.00
RELEASE DATE: September, 2004
PRODUCED AND BOTTLED BY INTUITION AND BLIND LUCK
Under the direction of Steve Edmunds, winemaker.
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