Castalia Wines
|
|
I first made Pinot Noir as a home winemaker in 1985. I have been employed at Rochioli Winery since 1990 and worked the 1988 & 1989 crush, and have been Cellar Master at Rochioli for the last ten years. I created the Castalia label in 1992. The 2003 vintage produced 309 cases. The wine was kept for 15 months in oak, 30% new, all French. This has given the wine a much softer feel at release. As always the wine is 100% from the Rochioli vineyards. 50% is from the River Block and the rest is second crop from the best of their single vineyard blocks. This wine should age for at least ten years and be in it’s prime in from 4 to 7 years. Castalia Pinot Noir possesses the full-bodied complexity and subtle cherry essence that are so typical of the finest Russian River Pinot Noirs. Many fine restaurants in the greater Bay Area have recognized that reputation by serving Castalia Pinot Noir year after year. I am pleased to now offer a limited quantity of our most recent vintage to the general public.
|
|
|
Directions
View Map
|
View Weather
Pinot Noir
The 2003 (309 cases made) is a great follow up to the 2002. It has the rich dark fruit of the ‘02 with a little more earth and a really nice firm structure. The flavors are very concentrated. It takes this wine a while to open up, so be sure to allow it to breath for at least an hour or more.
|
Pinot Noir
While the 2004 (320 cases made) was one of the earliest in years, the grapes bloomed so early that the grapes had plenty of hang-time. The wine has very ripe, concentrated up front dark fruit. It has a very silky mouth feel as compared to the previous vintages, with a nice firm structure. The color is dark and rich and reminds me a lot of the 2002. Let it breath for at least an hour, if possible.
|
Add New Review
|