Item 29354
Production: 10,000 cases
The grapes used to make our 2005 Pinot Noir come from many small
vineyards in the Willamette Valley, Applegate Valley and Rogue Valley
AVA’s. The Willamette Valley AVA/appellation is Oregon’s largest
wine region. Natural boundaries and the Willamette River create the
100-mile-long, 60-mile-wide Willamette Valley, stretching from
Portland in Northern Oregon to Eugene – more than 100 miles to the
south. It is the coolest of Oregon’s wine regions, and lends itself to a
narrow range of cool climate grapes of which Pinot Noir is king!
Sophisticated and modern growing methods have helped Oregon to become recognized as a world-class Pinot Noir
growing region. The Applegate Valley, which is located entirely within the Rogue Valley AVA, is known for its more
mountainous terrain and thus gives the wines delicate flavors and aromas due to cooler nights and warm, sunny days.
This region is much dryer and slightly warmer than the Willamette Valley and produces very delicate wines with lots
of finesse. The region has elevations around 3,000 feet and lends itself to firm acidity, firm fruit and lasting flavors.
Compared to the last three vintages, the 2005 Vintage was a cooler vintage for the great winemaking regions of
Oregon. The growing season was slow and even with a nice warm burst at the end of summer. We experienced several
rains during harvest time but were not concerned because we had warm summer weather that pushed the grapes along
to full and maximum ripening. This cooler vintage helped to develop slow, even ripening, dark color, and dense
tannins in the grapes. The 2005 vintage is noticeably darker than others. The resulting wines are dense and dark with
vibrant fruit aromas and flavors.
WASHINGTON
The wines used in this blend fermented in a combination of small,
open-topped fermentors and stainless steel tanks. The open-topped tanks
were punched down twice daily and this helped to develop nice color
extraction and tannin development, while maintaining intense fruit aromas
and flavors. The stainless steel tanks fermentation also offers tannin
extraction while maintaining fruit qualities, and complexity. After
fermenting for seven to 14 days, the wine is pressed off and stored in
small French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Both methods of aging
give the wine time to produce complex tannin structure, and develop rich
flavors and aromas from aging on the yeast cells.
Vancouver
Portland
Salem
Willamette Valley
Rogue Valley
Applegate Valley
This wine has true Oregon Pinot Noir characteristics. It has intense
cranberry, sweet red berry fruits – raspberry and bright tangy rhubarb.
There is a subtle mineral earthiness, and nice jasmine tea flavors on a
fleshy, fruit palate.
CALIFORNIA
