Wines> Library Wines> 2002 Premier Cuvée Pinot Noir
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description | |
Press Acclaim | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
ORIGIN: Our search for the best vineyard sites to produce distinguished Pinot Noir led us to northern Willamette Valley, specifically to the Red Hills of Dundee. Our steep hillside vineyards are densely planted with Dijon clones, ranging from 2,100 to 4,800 vines per acre. Our 2002 Premier Cuvée is crafted from mature vines grown in our four single estate vineyards: Red Hills Estate, Arcus Estate, Renegade Ridge Estate, and Archery Summit Estate.
VINEYARD: Our narrowly spaced estate vineyards are planted in Jory soil and receive southern exposure. We grow Dijon clones 113, 114, 115, 667, and 777 on selected rootstock in high-density vineyard blocks to complement our older self-rooted Pommard and Wadenswil vines. The Indian Summer of 2002 allowed over three weeks of hang time for the grapes, providing great concentration of flavor and tannins.
WINEMAKING: The grapes were hand-harvested, hand-sorted, and fermented in both wooden and stainless steel open top fermentors with 35% whole clusters. Indigenous yeasts carried out the fermentation along with controlled temperatures and manual punch downs. The wine was aged in 82% new French oak barrels for 11 months, and was moved throughout our facility entirely by gravity to ensure only the most delicate handling. Bottling was conducted with neither fining nor filtration in September 2003.
TASTING NOTES: Deep and inky red in color, this wine opens with aromas of dark chocolate, ripe blackberry, black plum and earth. The broad palate is layered with flavors reminiscent of lingonberry, black caps, rose hips, cocoa, mineral and meat. The palate is pronounced with velvety and supple tannins which give weight and density to this distinctive wine. The finish is long and persists with hints of spiced plum and clean earth. This elegant, balanced wine is ready to be enjoyed now or may be cellared for five to eight years.