VOLUME 8, ISSUE 20
August 24, 2010
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
Romancing the Dijon Clones Buena Vista: My House Red and White Lenné Estate: 2008s are Best Ever Domaine Drouhin Oregon: Burgundy’s First Footprint in Oregon Spätburgunder Robert Sinskey Vineyards Raiding the Library of the Pinot Carzina: Lane Tanner Pinot Noir, 1988-2007 LIOCO Winery: A Different Path Sta. Rita Hills: California’s Best AVA for Chardonnay? Sips of Pinot Noir Pinot Briefs Doctoring Wine for Optimum Drinking
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Keefer Ranch
Keefer Ranch is located near the headwaters of Green Valley Creek in Sebastopol, with gently sloping, well-drained, south-facing exposure. Marcy Keefer, a nurse, and her husband Robert Keefer, a doctor who is now deceased, purchased the property in 1985. The vineyard was planted in 1988 on the site of a former apple orchard. It consists of 40 acres of Pinot Noir and 10 acres of Chardonnay. Part of the Green Valley sub appellation of the Russian River Valley (officially now named “Green Valley of Russian River Valley”), Keefer Ranch is planted on Goldridge Loam which drains well and is thus particularly valued for its suitability for growing Pinot Noir. The Green Valley is defined by the fog and is usually the first place where the fog comes in through the Petaluma Gap, and the last place where the fog burns off, making it the coolest and foggiest part of the Russian River Valley. Many years ago the area was considered too cool for ripening Pinot Noir, but pioneering winegrower Warren Dutton’s early plantings (Chardonnay first planted in 1967) here proved otherwise. The typical flavor profile of Green Valley shines through in the Keefer Ranch wines. Pinot Noir shows ripe fruit (cherry and cranberry), sweet spice, lively acidity, soft tannins, supple texture and beautiful structure. Chardonnay presents a clean, fresh, crisp, Gravenstein apple, complex citrus flavor profile, with a core of minerality, long finish, and great focus. Keefer Ranch is now farmed by Marcy Keefer and her son Craig Strehlow. The clones are a nice mixture of Dijon 114, 115, 777, Pommard 5, Mariafeld (23), Wädenswil (2A), Swan and Calera. For many years, Keefer Ranch Vineyard has supplied grapes to notable Pinot Noir specialists including most recently, A.P. Vin, Failla, Freeman, Kosta Browne, Loring Wine Co., Pali, and Siduri. Beginning in 2006, Marcy Keefer and Craig Strehlow launched their own Keefer Ranch label. They source from a newer 1-acre block planted to Swan clone. Craig is handling the winemaking duties, and the inaugural release is quite impressive. Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir is sold through a mailing list and on the website. 707-829-5950. Articles About Keefer RanchReviewed Wines![]() 2007 Keefer Ranch Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 14.2% alc., 243 cases, pH 3.45, $42. 9 day cold soak, 11 day fermentation, 20% whole cluster, aged 12 months in 25% new French oak. · A gently perfumed, ethereal style of Pinot Noir, very feminine in character, but not delicate in flavor. The nose is quite charming featuring crushed strawberries and raspberries, summer herbs and violets. Fresh and juicy raspberry juice in the mouth with some gregarious spice and marzipan. Soft and silky with powdery tannins and a refreshing edge on the finish. A perfectly composed wine with great purity of fruit. You will want to dance with this one. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 14.2% alc., 143 cases, $42. · Light reddish-purple in color. The nose offers fresh savory herbs with red berries and cherries. Delicious delicate red fruits that are sweetly spiced and elegantly presented. Soft and silky like red lingerie. A delight to drink. Naomi Campbell on a Victoria Secret runway. Reviewed July 19, 2008 ARTICLE »
![]() 2006 Keefer Ranch Wines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 14.2% alc., $42. Inaugural release. · Moderate reddish-purple color. Aromas of black cherries, strawberries, wet leaves, baking spice and oak are echoed in the flavors. Smooth, clean and elegant with balanced acidity and supple tannins. Perfectly fine and time to drink up. Very good. Reviewed February 15, 2010 ARTICLE »
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