Our 2011 Goosepen Block Pinot Noir shows its delicate nature.  The signature Jory soil terroir with its spicy mineral finish is well represented in this wine. It possesses great depth of pure fruit flavor, strong structure, acid, and persistent length. Still in its youth, this may be tight on the nose and palate. You can see the bright, beautiful cranberry fruit and acidity that speak to a wine that should prove to be a gem for long-term cellaring. With proper cellaring, this wine can be enjoyed for the next ten to fifteen years.

Scores: 92 - Wine Spectator, 94 Wine Enthusiast

The Story: When Alex Sokol Blosser (our winemaker) was growing up, this block was not planted to pinot noir, but riesling. During this time Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser tried their infamous and failed experiment of fencing it in and releasing a flock of geese to consume the grass. Since then, the Sokol Blosser’s have always called it “Goosepen.” When we had to re-plant the block due to Phylloxera, it was decided that the highest and best use of that site was for pinot noir and not for riesling. This was not a failed experiment. To this day, Goosepen is Alex’s favorite of our single vineyard blocks. It does not have the rich tannins of its northern neighbor, Big Tree, nor the finesse of the Orchard Block. It has fruit. A lot of rich fruit that can be heavy some years (2014) and complex in other years (2012 and 2015). Drinking a glass of Goosepen always reminds Alex that experimenting is a two edge sword; sometimes you get the goose, and sometimes the goose gets you!