Tandem barrel tasting and seminar

[Kcwhippet]

Just a bit more on the clones. The PN clones are dumped into two groups - the Old School clones and the Dijon clones. Old School are, in fact, older clones brought to CA as long as 115 years ago. Calera is Old School but was brought from Domaine Romani Conti about 25 years ago. The Dijon clones are all numbered - 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, 459 and 828 are the ones most planted in CA. Clone 115 is one that's generally most able to be bottled alone, though it does benefit with the addition of smaller amounts of the other clones in the blend. Clone 777 is similar to 115 but isn't quite as rich. I don't know how many different PN clones are planted in CA, but the French have identified over 1000 in their vineyards. I believe I read that Melville has about 15 different PN clones planted in their vineyard. Boggles the mind how a vintner can keep track of all the characteristics of each clone they've planted and then combine them just right to make a great wine.