2017 Pinot Noir Rebecca’s Reserve | Library Release
Block 8 (planted 1992) • 4×4 high-density • Pommard + Dijon 115
Rebecca's Reserve: High-Density Precision
Library Release • Bottled June 2019 • 6+ years in bottle • Block 8 • 4×4 high-density planting • Pommard + Dijon 115
A Different Kind of Vineyard Architecture
Planted in 1992, Block 8—known as Rebecca's Reserve—is a departure from tradition. At high-density 4×4 spacing, these vines live in close quarters, forcing them to compete for every nutrient.
This "civil war" under the soil results in smaller berries and a higher skin-to-juice ratio. The 2017 library release showcases the result of that architecture: a wine of incredible high-definition. It is taut, linear, and vibrating with spice and mineral energy.
It doesn't rely on weight; it relies on focus.
The Architecture:
- Planting: 4×4 high-density (1,200+ vines/acre vs. traditional 800-900)
- Block: Block 8, planted 1992
- Clones: Pommard + Dijon 115 (grafted)
- Soil: Marine sedimentary with red clay seams
- The Effect: Vine competition → smaller berries → finer tannins, longer finish, linear structure
What High-Density Creates
When vines are planted this close together, they can't sprawl. They must dig deeper, work harder, self-regulate. The result is natural concentration without manipulation—smaller clusters, thicker skins, more structured tannins.
You taste it immediately: violet, raspberry, red currant, cola, Douglas fir. Light-bodied yet focused, with bright acidity and fine, linear tannins. Cracked peppercorns build through the mid-palate into a long, precise finish where citrus peel and conifer notes echo back.
At 6+ years, the wine has reached a beautiful equilibrium—tertiary complexity layered over the bright, energetic core that defines this block.
Compare to Heritage: The Spacing Experiment
Want to understand what vine spacing does? Taste Rebecca's Reserve beside Heritage.
Heritage (Block 3): Classic 5×10 spacing from 1984. Vines have room to spread. The wine is broad, earthy, graceful—showing the wisdom of 40-year-old roots.
Rebecca's Reserve (Block 8): High-density 4×4 spacing from 1992. Vines are forced into competition. The wine is linear, precise, spice-driven—showing what constraint creates.
Same estate. Same winemaking. Different architecture. This is terroir expressed through human design.
How to Serve
Temperature: 58–62°F (serve cool to preserve the lifted aromatics)
Decant: 30–45 minutes—this wine gains dimension with air
Pair with: Seared duck breast with cherry-pepper jus, cedar-plank salmon with orange and hazelnuts, herb-crusted lamb, pepper-crusted ahi tuna
The taut structure and spice note love preparations with pepper and citrus. This isn't a wine for heavy cream sauces—it wants brightness and herbs.
The Vineyard's Three Expressions
| Feature | Cardiac Hill | Rebecca's Reserve | Heritage |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Vibe | Bold & Savory | Taut & Precise | Graceful & Earthy |
| Site | Steep heat-trapping slope | High-density 4×4 block | 1984 original planting |
| Soil | Heavy red clay | Marine sediments + clay | Marine sedimentary |
| Tannin | Rugged & Grippy | Fine & Linear | Silky & Resolved |
Experience all three expressions of Kramer Estate:
Shop the Estate Blocks 6-Pack →
Why This Wine Exists
In 1992, when we planted Block 8 at high-density, it was an experiment. Could tighter spacing create a different expression of our terroir? Thirty years later, the answer is clear: yes. This block produces wine with a linear, spice-driven precision that our traditionally-spaced blocks don't achieve. It's not better or worse—it's different. And at 6+ years in bottle, that difference has never been more clear.
Library Release Details: Limited quantity • Bottled June 2019 • ~100 cases produced • 12.5% alcohol • Aged 18 months in neutral French oak • Unfined, unfiltered • Drinking beautifully now
Shipping: Included in Estate Blocks 6-Pack and 2017 Vintage Collection. Free shipping on orders $300+.
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