Lichen Estate 'Moonglow' Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California 2021

Doug Lichen owns this estate in the Anderson Valley, planted exclusively to Pinot Noir and Pinot gris and farmed organically.

• Winemaker: Doug Stewart
• Farming: Organic
• Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir
• Soil Type: Lichen Estate: Seven acres of estate vines overlook Highway 128 from the 203-acre Lichen Estate in Anderson Valley. Prepared in 2007 and planted in 2008 on meter-by-meter spacing, the vineyard comprises 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Gris vines on 15% to 35% southeast-facing slopes. Farmed 100% organically. Four clones of Pinot Noir (Martini, Wadenswil, Pommard, & 667) on three rootstocks (420A, 101-14, and 161-49) went into the Moonglow blend. 
  
• Vinification/Oak Usage: 12-17 days in 1.25 to 3 ton stainless closed-top fermenters and 1.4 ton opentop S-Bins; 1-4 day cold soaks; gentle pump-overs followed by hand punch-downs; and 2 to 3 day extended maceration. All lots took off and fermented dry with native yeast.
  
• Aging: Cooperage: Majority Françoise Frere fire bent, 3-year and 4-year dried, extra tight grain wood, medium plus toast; Atelier Centre France water bent, 3-year dried, extra tight grain wood, medium plus toast; Kadar Hungarian tight grain, 3-year dried medium plus toast; roughly 10% new wood with remainder being 10 to 40 months used. Fifteen months in barrel
• Tasting Note:  Aromas of dried orange peel, strawberry and wet stone. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Good depth and intensity on the steady, mineral finish. Pleasantly salty, too.
  
• Scores: 92 points James Suckling