2012 Pinot Noir MK Vineyard

Kathryn and Paul Sloan, who entered the wine business via their vineyard management company Small Vines, are currently heavily involved with the propagation of their estate vineyard, which sits just outside their front door in western Sebastopol.Although watching over their clients' vineyards occupies most of their time, as their own vines come into maturity they expect that project--and the wines they make from it--to become a higher priority.The Sloans told me that while they have a certain style in mind for their wines, which are made with the consulting hand of Byron Kosuge, they aren't wedded to strict rules.Whole clusters are used in some cases but not others and new oak isn't avoided but neither is it emphasized.What is important, Paul Sloan said, is "maximum fruit intensity without too much weight" and an attempt to express the energy of Sonoma Coast fruit "without too much makeup."