current release
2022 Iron filbert vineyard Pinot noir
winemaker notes
A fantastic showcasing of our Iron Filbert Vineyard that we call home. Aromatically complex, showcasing ripe plums alongside baking spices and sage. The palate is lengthy and rounded from its structured tannins and minerality, tasting of candied cherries, toasted chestnuts, and slate. This Pinot Noir will continue to evolve and age beautifully for the next 15 years.
winemaking details
This year we sourced our top label predominantly from the lower, riper blocks of our organically farmed Iron Filbert Vineyard nestled in the Dundee Hills. This is a composition of Dijon, Pommard, and Wädenswil clones, with a little Pommard from block 2G. We fermented native in stainless vessels for an average of 20 days on skins. Once dry, we barreled down to predominantly neutral French oak barrels, with only 5% new French oak in the final blend. The wine aged on lees for 11 months, topped weekly, and stirred occasionally. Alcohol of 13%.
vintage notes
The 2022 growing season in the Willamette Valley began with a mild winter that turned into a warm and dry March, prompting an earlier bud break. A one-in-every-50-year weather phenomenon occurred in mid-April with a frost event, followed by cool and wet weather in late April and May. The frost and subsequent conditions affected buds that had begun emerging from dormancy and set vine growth back 2 to 4 weeks. Thankfully, warm weather came in late June, just in time for flowering phases, and helped produce a great fruit set and rapid shoot growth.
Summer was marked by a few heat spikes, but the water-soaked soils from a wetter spring allowed the vines to produce a healthy canopy and carry them through the season. Late summer and early fall witnessed cool nights and warm days, which facilitated the retention of acidity in the grapes and prolonged hang time. October was hotter than average, allowing the grapes to fully mature before cooler temperatures arrived. Overall, the season remained moderate and ideal for grape maturation.
The vineyard management practices employed during the 2022 growing season played a crucial role in shaping the quality of the wines. Meticulous vineyard management efforts resulted in outstanding grape quality for the 2022 vintage. Pinot Noir, the flagship grape of the Willamette Valley, demonstrated exceptional depth and complexity. The berries achieved optimal phenolic ripeness, offering a balance of rich fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and well-integrated tannins.
wine information
This top tier showcases a limited selection of 16 barrels. Only 396 cases produced in 2022. Fruit for this label is sourced from our organically farmed Iron Filbert Vineyard in the Dundee Hills.
reviews
2021 vintage | 95 points Wine Spectator
Dynamic and detailed, with precise raspberry and cherry flavors laced with forest floor, steely mineral and black tea as this builds tension toward medium-grained tannins. — TF
2017 vintage | 94 points Wine Spectator
Rich and harmonious, with a sleek and complex core, offering expressive black raspberry, flint and savory pepper flavors that take on vibrancy toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2025. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. — TF
2018 vintage | 93 points James Suckling
Aromas of stones, woody spices, violets, wild herbs and fresh, purple fruit. Succulent cherry and blackberry flavors abound with fresh acidity, too. This has impressive structure and poise and will warrant some time in the cellar.