Len, your thoughts are well put, and you bring up good points. I think that terrior is undeniably present in California Pinot Noirs, but it is more evident at different stages of a wine's life. In other words, when I barrel taste at KB, I find that the true expression of the vineyard is easily noted while comparing neutral barrels of the same clone with the same fermentation process from different vineyards. Winemaking is inherently a maniputlation, so it is impossible to avoid winemaker influence. With that said, I suppose the purest method of comparing terrior is to taste pre-fermented grapejuice!
Terrior and a Level Playing Field
Len, your thoughts are well put, and you bring up good points. I think that terrior is undeniably present in California Pinot Noirs, but it is more evident at different stages of a wine's life. In other words, when I barrel taste at KB, I find that the true expression of the vineyard is easily noted while comparing neutral barrels of the same clone with the same fermentation process from different vineyards. Winemaking is inherently a maniputlation, so it is impossible to avoid winemaker influence. With that said, I suppose the purest method of comparing terrior is to taste pre-fermented grapejuice!