January 25, 2012
|
|
Joseph Swan Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Rod Bergland |
| Web site | www.swanwinery.com |
| Link to this site |
The first vintage of Joseph Swan Pinot Noir was 1973 and was produced with consultation from the legendary Andre Tchelistcheff who was a friend of Joe Swan's. Subsequently, Swan made a string of outstanding Pinot Noirs from his vines. Despite their high quality for the time, Swan was such a perfectionist that he never was satisfied. He traveled to France every year to improve his winemaking techniques. He experimented with whole cluster fermentation, manual punch downs, and the use of new French oak barrels - all techniques that were unusual for California winemakers in the early 1970s. His legacy will include his popularization of the old, Burgundian winemaking methods, his search for better clonal material, and his openness to new idea.
Joseph Swan passed away in 1989, but his legacy and vineyard lives on thanks to the talents of Swan’s son-in-law, Rod Berglund. Rod became a winemaker in 1979, largely due to Swan’s encouragement. Rod married Swan’s daughter, Lynn, in 1986 and help Swan with his last harvest in 1987. He has taken over management and winemaking at Joseph Swan Vineyards and has continued the tradition of excellence that Joseph Swan was known for. 2009 marked 30 vintages for Berglund, the last 21 of which have been at Joseph Swan Vineyards.
The personification of Joe has been retained in the winery’s wine club which is called “Joe’s Drinking Buddies.” Rod has continued Joe’s espirit de core by maintaining the philosophy that “While consumers are demanding that wines deliver flavor, there seems to be a growing number of people who are embracing the concept of wines with food, who understand what it takes for wines to age gracefully, and who are looking for elegance and complexity instead of sheer power. The age of chocolate and vanilla may be coming to an end! Hurray for 57 flavors! It is a thrilling time to be a wine."
Joseph Swan's wife, June, passed away in January, 2010. She had retired from active involvement in the winery she co-founded back in 1969. Her car license plate was SWANPNO.
Rod crafts four consistently fine Pinot Noirs: Cuvee de Trois, Saralee's Vineyard, Trenton View Vineyard (young vines) and Trenton Estate Vineyard (the Joseph Swan estate vineyard). The 2006 vintage from the Trenton Estate Vineyard was the 34th commercial release from these vines. Cuvee de Trois was launched in 1999 as a blend of excess grapes from three vineyards. Today, it accounts for 40 percent of the winery's production. Small lots of several other varietals are produced including old-vine Zinfandel, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.
The winery's Trenton Estate includes some of the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the Russian River Valley. Yields are very low which in part accounts for character of the wines from this vineyard. It is planted largely to the Swan clone, more correctly referred to as the Swan selection. A portion of the newer block planted in 1996 contains six Dijon clones.
Most of the wines are sold through a mailing list with some retail distribution. The tasting room is open on weekends (check website for directions). Tasting and sales are also offered by appointment on Mondays and Fridays (707-573-3747).
Articles About Joseph Swan Vineyards
Reviewed Wines
2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Cuvée de Trois Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 1,900 cases, $28.
·
Moderately deep reddish-purple robe. Great nose that draws you in featuring aromas of Bing
cherries, red raspberries, slightest oak and violets, and a big dose of Asian Five Spice. Demure red
berry and dried cherry core with an appealing touch of earth and oak. Silky smooth and elegant with
the right mix of t n ‘a to bring the fruit into focus. Not a heavyweight, and even a little shallow in the
mid-palate, but satisfying. The moderate alcohol adds to the appeal. Very good.
Reviewed October 15, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Joseph Swan Vineyards Cuvée de Trois Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 1,100 cases, $25.50.
This wine is a blend of several lots including wine from Trenton Estate and Saralee’s Vineyard in the
Russian River Valley. It is meant to be an every day wine and is quite popular on restaurant wine lists.
It is not as complex as the Swan vineyard designates.
·
Fairly light in
color. Confected cherry, red licorice, oak, spice and sage scents which build in intensity over time in the
glass. Tart red cherry and cranberry fruit with a subtle earthy and wild herbal influence. Soft and light
with a cleansing finish. An excellent food wine.
Reviewed July 19, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Joseph Swan Vineyards Trenton Estate Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3%
alc., $47.
·
Deep, dark ruby color. Terrific rich aromas of black cherry, carnations, and dried roses. Plush
black cherry and blackberry fruit that is a bit dusty and herb-tinged. Plenty of joyous fruit, but not jammy
or flabby. Good acidity, velvety texture, with some tannin to lose. Thoroughly distinctive and enjoyable.
This will only get better with more time in the bottle. One of my All-Americans this year for sure.
Reviewed July 19, 2008
ARTICLE »
2004 Joseph Swan Vineyards Cuvee da Trois Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., $23.
·
This Pinot is a real charmer with terrific aromatics of
raspberry, tea, and spices. It is a wine of finesse and is light on its feet. No
alcohol or tannin onslaught here. You just won’t find a better Pinot Noir for this
price anywhere.
Reviewed April 30, 2007
ARTICLE »
2003 Joseph Swan Vineyards Cuvée de Trois Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., $23.
This is the most popular wine in the winery’s lineup and sells out quickly after release each year. The
first year of production was only 100 cases, but this has gradually been ramped up to 1,100 cases. It is
a blend of lots including grapes from the young vines of the estate Trenton Vineyard and other vineyards
including Saralee’s Vineyard. It is meant to be an easy drinking Pinot from the time of release
and is not as complex as the vineyard designates.
·
What a nice surprise! Very lovely berry, raspberry
tea and spice aromas and flavors. The aromatics are flat-out terrific.
Not at all overblown, no alcohol or tannins to spoil the party. Very good
acid kick at the end. If you like Pinot Noir, this is your cup of tea.
Reviewed February 26, 2007
ARTICLE »
2002 Joseph Swan Vineyards Trenton Estate Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $40.
·
Terrific aromatics with a
little spicy cherry, cola and toast. Nicely-weighted pure, sweet fruit
with a gentle oaky edge and a lively finish uplifted by bright acidity.
This wine is not a voluptuous wine in the full-throttle California sense,
but it is thorough satisfying and really what Pinot should be but so often
falls short. Not surprisingly, it is a winner with food.
Reviewed February 26, 2007
ARTICLE »
2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Cuvée de Trois Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 1,900 cases, $28. · Moderately deep reddish-purple robe. Great nose that draws you in featuring aromas of Bing cherries, red raspberries, slightest oak and violets, and a big dose of Asian Five Spice. Demure red berry and dried cherry core with an appealing touch of earth and oak. Silky smooth and elegant with the right mix of t n ‘a to bring the fruit into focus. Not a heavyweight, and even a little shallow in the mid-palate, but satisfying. The moderate alcohol adds to the appeal. Very good. Reviewed October 15, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Joseph Swan Vineyards Cuvée de Trois Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 1,100 cases, $25.50. This wine is a blend of several lots including wine from Trenton Estate and Saralee’s Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. It is meant to be an every day wine and is quite popular on restaurant wine lists. It is not as complex as the Swan vineyard designates. · Fairly light in color. Confected cherry, red licorice, oak, spice and sage scents which build in intensity over time in the glass. Tart red cherry and cranberry fruit with a subtle earthy and wild herbal influence. Soft and light with a cleansing finish. An excellent food wine. Reviewed July 19, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Joseph Swan Vineyards Trenton Estate Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $47. · Deep, dark ruby color. Terrific rich aromas of black cherry, carnations, and dried roses. Plush black cherry and blackberry fruit that is a bit dusty and herb-tinged. Plenty of joyous fruit, but not jammy or flabby. Good acidity, velvety texture, with some tannin to lose. Thoroughly distinctive and enjoyable. This will only get better with more time in the bottle. One of my All-Americans this year for sure. Reviewed July 19, 2008 ARTICLE »
2004 Joseph Swan Vineyards Cuvee da Trois Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., $23. · This Pinot is a real charmer with terrific aromatics of raspberry, tea, and spices. It is a wine of finesse and is light on its feet. No alcohol or tannin onslaught here. You just won’t find a better Pinot Noir for this price anywhere. Reviewed April 30, 2007 ARTICLE »
2003 Joseph Swan Vineyards Cuvée de Trois Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., $23. This is the most popular wine in the winery’s lineup and sells out quickly after release each year. The first year of production was only 100 cases, but this has gradually been ramped up to 1,100 cases. It is a blend of lots including grapes from the young vines of the estate Trenton Vineyard and other vineyards including Saralee’s Vineyard. It is meant to be an easy drinking Pinot from the time of release and is not as complex as the vineyard designates. · What a nice surprise! Very lovely berry, raspberry tea and spice aromas and flavors. The aromatics are flat-out terrific. Not at all overblown, no alcohol or tannins to spoil the party. Very good acid kick at the end. If you like Pinot Noir, this is your cup of tea. Reviewed February 26, 2007 ARTICLE »
2002 Joseph Swan Vineyards Trenton Estate Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $40. · Terrific aromatics with a little spicy cherry, cola and toast. Nicely-weighted pure, sweet fruit with a gentle oaky edge and a lively finish uplifted by bright acidity. This wine is not a voluptuous wine in the full-throttle California sense, but it is thorough satisfying and really what Pinot should be but so often falls short. Not surprisingly, it is a winner with food. Reviewed February 26, 2007 ARTICLE »
TRAVEL ALONG THE PINOT TRAIL | PINOT FESTIVALS | PODCASTS AND VIDEO | TESTIMONIALS | GRAPE RADIO | LINKS
© 2003-2011 Rusty Gaffney MD | Contact the Prince: Prince@PrinceOfPinot.com