CLENDENEN FAMILY 2018 “The Pip” Pinot Noir
“Le Bon Climat Vineyard”
Santa Maria Valley, California
*This cuvee is named in homage to Jim Clendenen’s deceased, amazing Border Collie “Pip”, former winery mascot.
VINEYARD
This cuvee is 100% Pinot Noir sourced exclusively from Jim Clendenen’s own Le Bon Climat Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. Six different Pinot clones are planted at Le Bon Climat: two principal clones 667 and 23, and small amounts of 2A, Mt. Eden, 115 and 777. The fruit is all hand picked and sorted in the vineyards.
CELLAR
Fermented in 5 ton open top fermenters, punched down twice a day by hand, pressed after 10 to 14 days, and put into neutral Francois Freres French oak barrels after some settling. The wine was then racked and blended after 8 months and returned to barrel for 4 months additional aging.