2007 MARSANNE “SANTA YNEZ VALLEY”
This wine is 53% Marsanne from the Ibarra-Young Vineyard in Los Olivos, 18%
Marsanne from the Demetria Vineyard just north of Los Olivos (what used to
be Andrew Murray Vineyard), 17% Marsanne from the Purisima Mountain Vineyard
and 12% Roussanne from the Stolpman Vineyard, both just west of Los Olivos.
Ibarra-Young is organically farmed. Demetria and Purisima Mountain are both
farmed biodynamically.
2007 was a tricky vintage. Poor weather during flowering and set affected
crop levels on many varieties including Marsanne, which was down on average
about 20%. It was also a fairly cool vintage overall, but with intense heat
waves sprinkled throughout the season. In mid-September the weather really
cooled down just as the Marsanne was getting ripe – so I picked at physical
ripeness grapes that barely made 20-21° brix. The Roussanne ripened a full
month later at 22.8° brix.
All lots were whole cluster pressed, the juice settled and chilled for 48
hours and then put to neutral barrels for fermentation. The wines were aged
in the same barrels for 5 months and went through complete malolactic.
Bottled in March 2008, in both fulls and halves.
We’ve been making Marsanne since 1987 and have pretty much stayed with the
same style… picked at the low end of ripeness while it still has plenty of
acidity and refreshingly low alcohol. Marsanne in this style, and this 2007
is a great example, exhibits what I call “wet stone” minerality along with
hints of almonds, honey, citrus and flowers.
Marsanne made in this style ages well. That 1987 wine is still hanging in
there… I only have a few bottles left, should have kept more. I expect this
2007 to age nicely over the next 20 years.
