ToniJ
Certified
Join Date: 7/18/2008
Posts: 27
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Posted: 3/19/2009 10:05:15 AM
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In 1964 a bottle of 1960 Chalone Vineyards Pinot Blanc changed the the direction of the life of Dick Graff. Years later a bottle of 1969 Chalone Vineyards Pinot Blanc, that was received as payment for business consultation by Phil Woodward, changed his. That bottle of wine brought together these two pioneers of the Chalone AVA and thus the creation of the Chalone Group.
The original planting of Pinot Blanc, in what was to become the Chalone AVA, was made in 1946 and were torn out shortly after the purchase of the Chalone Group by a larger company in 2005.
The second planting of Pinot Blanc was made by Dick Graff in 1970 and that fruit went into the reserve tier of the Chalone Vineyards wines at that time.
Today those same vines represent the oldest plantings of Pinot Blanc in the AVA and are the same vines that produce Graff Family Vineyards Pinot Blanc.
The Chalone bench soil types are decomposed granite, clay loam and limestone deposits and is one of the few places where granite and limestone are co-located, providing a well drained and mineral rich soil well suited to viticulture.
The 2007 Graff Family Vineyards Pinot Blanc is a reflection of the terroir and the sophisticated style of winemaker of Dan Karlsen. It is both fermented and aged in French oak barrels, 30% new 70% used, for 10 months. On the nose it has lively stone fruits, orange blossoms and a delicate chalkiness. On the palate it has a silky texture, a reflection of the subtle oak, with honeydew, apricot skin and ripe peach complimented by hints of roasted filberts and fine limestone dustiness.
In tasting this wine you are tasting the history of the Chalone AVA. Pinot Blanc was the first varietal commercially vinified here and is still producing world class wines in an area you might not think to buy this varietal from.
Any thoughts?
Toni Johnson
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benchland
Certified
Join Date: 5/26/2008
Posts: 37
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ToniJ
Certified
Join Date: 7/18/2008
Posts: 27
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Posted: 5/12/2009 12:14:28 PM
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Quote:
Quoted From benchland:
Is there any chance that some of the original plantings are Melon?
There were plantings at the turn of the century (20th)and in the forties that were almost like a field blend and in the book about Chalone it say's there was plenty of Melon, but the stuff Dick Graff planted was all Pinot Blanc. I got this information from Scott Woodward who grew there when Dick was his dad's business partner at Chalone.
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