Radio–Coteau is pleased to present its 2007 Vintage Spring Release, which includes three Pinot Noirs, the Savoy Chardonnay and the Las Colinas Syrah. Moderate yields and ideal harvest conditions set the stage for this classic vintage. Finished wines are marked by distinctive site expression and focused, pure fruit.

Few years in the last ten have been as unpredictable or as unexpectedly successful as the 2007 vintage. Inclement weather during bloom stunted vegetative growth and reduced yields significantly, but ultimately contributed concentration and vibrancy to the fruit. Unseasonable rains in July pushed growth back to normal without significantly raising mildew pressure. Though the end of August saw a period of warm weather, the absence of heat spikes held ripening to a normal pace. Three potential storm fronts in September passed without incident, and fruit was harvested under ideal, overcast conditions from early September through mid–October.

In the cellar, a new stainless steel basket press increased clarity and reduced astringency in the press wine. The unusually cold winter following harvest kept malolactic fermentation at bay, and many of the wines did not finish until summertime. This delay minimized the amount of sulfur added during elevage, enhancing complexity. Furthermore, we delayed racking the wine off primary lees until December 2008, preserving freshness and fruit character.

All of these factors contribute to site expression and fruit purity, leading to perhaps the most idiosyncratic set of Pinot Noirs we produced to date. These Pinot Noirs provide a window to sites and seasons, with precision and balance. In this respect they parallel the 2005 vintage wines, but flavors are slightly riper and structures are more refined.

The Savoy Chardonnay, on the other hand, is more akin to the 2006, with focused fruitiness, nuanced complexity, and aromatic lift. The Prosser clone Chardonnay fruit was picked almost two weeks before the Wente block, accentuating its bright tropical fruit and high–toned aromatics. The Wente fruit, picked later, adds body, minerality and nuance to the wine. As usual, the Chardonnay was barrel fermented with indigenous yeast, aged sur lie and not racked off its primary lees for twelve months.

The Syrahs manage to straddle the last two vintages structurally with a lean, focused intensity. Though the two vineyard–designates remain in barrel awaiting a future release, the Las Colinas provides savvy consumers with a stylistic preview of the vintage. Here, cool climate characteristics are on display, with dark fruit and pepper spice taking center stage. The wine should age well, but also provides energetic drinking in the near term with food friendly waves of peppery fruit and a focused finish.

Radio–Coteau is holding bottle prices steady and reducing shipping prices for the second time in a year. Also, we have moved to a paperless newsletter format to minimize our environmental impact.

The Savoy Pinot Noir, the two vineyard–designate Syrahs and the Von Weidlich Zinfandel are slated for a fall release. The next offer will be sent out in late summer.

Unpredictable vintages like 2007 remind us of the risks and rewards intrinsic to farming. In truth, the success of every vintage depends on fruit quality. We would like to thank our growers for their relentless commitment to quality, and acknowledge their indispensable contribution to the annual celebration of sites and seasons and the perpetual, reassuring cycle of new beginnings.

Sincerely,

Radio–Coteau
Sebastopol, California