Sonoma County, California
Vineyard: A selection of barrels displaying the magnificence of Sonoma County Pinot Noir — that specific balance of opulent fruit, and the variety’s inherent spice and earthen notes. Sonoma’s oldest heritage selection, the Swan Clone, has been a major component of the Bastard Tongue since its inaugural bottling in 2011. 2018’s cuvee brings forth an even greater emphasis on this selection.
Production: 320 cases
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir.
Crush: Six harvest passes—always by hand; always at night—over the 3 weeks spanning September 20 thru October 12. Once in the winery, the grapes are berry-by-berry hand-sorted, and fully de-stemmed, with no crushing employed to promote whole-berry fermentation.
Ferment: 7-day cold soaks, followed by native fermentation in open-top tanks. Average time on the skins was 14 days.
Aging: 20 months, French oak, 66% new. Never racked prior to bottling. Bottled unfined, unfiltered.
Notes: An all-time classic growing season, 2018 achieved rarely experienced heights. A mild summer gave way to extended Autumnal perfection, allowing the vines an enviable opportunity to ripen a perfectly consistent and intensely-flavored crop. What arrives in bottle is a knockout BT, delivering the profoundly rich flavors associated with long hang-times; balanced by the unparalleled elegance cooler vintages bestow upon their wines.
