2001 Pinot Noir, Edna Ranch   2001 Nichols Pinot Noir, Edna Ranch Vineyard, Edna Valley                           Nichols Pinot Noir has bright ruby red color. Full bodied and complex are typical of this wine year after year. Also, it has intense fruit layers of cherry, plum, berry, cedar, toast, smoke, spice, tobacco, leather, caramel and vanilla. It finishes with a cherry, earthy quality, while the tannins fold in, to give it a nice Burgundian earthy aftertaste. Fermentation Process Pinot Noir is produced in a unique style, 1/3 whole cluster berry fermented in small open top fermenters to facilitate maximum flavor and color extraction. The cap is punched down several times a day over a period of 7 to 10 days. When fermented dry, it is pressed off and racked into French Oak barrels. Barrel ageing This Pinot Noir, is aged in 100% French Oak for twelve (12) months. The wine is further aged for a minimum of an additional 12 months in the bottle. Aging in the bottle allows the wine to rest and round out its natural fruit flavor and aromatic attributes. Central Coast Wine Region; Edna Valley Appellation Between San Luis Obispo and Oceana, California lies the Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley Appellations. Both valleys are wide open to the cool Pacific winds and fog. This cool climate is ideal for great Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Likewise, this climate, and an unusual combination of soils, makes it potentially the equal of any winemaking region in the world. Nichols Winery & Cellars TM Nichols Winery is a small winery, established in 1991 to produce ultra premium wines with limited production of each Varietal. The winery produces Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Meritage and Zinfandel. In 2002 Syrah was started and 2005 a Sauvignon Blanc program was started. The winery is located in Paso Robles, CA.           $33.00