current release
2022 Quartz Acorn vineyard pinot noir
winemaker notes
A gorgeous expression of our Quartz Acorn Vineyard, this Pinot Noir marries ripe blackberry and elderberry flavors with hints of cloves, tobacco and undergrowth. A deep ruby hue sets up a luxurious palate with bold rounded tannins and minerality that exemplifies this estate. Satisfying acidity and immense depth means the 2022 vintage will age fantastically for the next 10 to 15 years.
winemaking details
This wine blends together south-facing and east-facing Pommard, Dijon, Wädenswil clones from our second estate planting, the Quartz Acorn Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton. The average fermentation time was 20 days in concrete and stainless steel vessels. The fermentation is both 100% native and destemmed. Aged on lees for 11 months in 10% new Taransaud French oak barrels. Alcohol of 14.9%.
vintage notes
The 2022 growing season in the Willamette Valley began with a mild winter that turned into a warm and dry March, prompting and earlier bud break. This was then followed by a frost event on April 14th and very cool and wet late April and May, a one in every 50 year weather phenomena. The frost and subsequent conditions affected buds that had begun emerging from dormancy and set vine growth back 2 to 4 weeks. However warm weather came late June, just in time for flowering to produce a great fruit set and rapid shoot growth. Summer was marked by a few heat spikes, though with the soils full of water from the wetter spring the vines produced a healthy canopy to 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 colder 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. Challenges were created due to the large amount of canopy growth, increasing powdery mildew pressure. We had to be diligent with our canopy management and integrated disease control practices. Though, the exceptional climatic conditions and meticulous vineyard management efforts resulted in outstanding grape quality for the 2022 vintage. The Pinot Noir, which is 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. The combination of favorable climatic conditions, sustainable vineyard management practices, and the dedication of winemakers to quality is expected to yield wines of exceptional character and complexity.
wine information
This top tier showcases a limited barrel selection, with only 331 cases were produced in 2022. Fruit for this label is sourced from our organically farmed Quartz Acorn Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton.
reviews
2017 | 96 points James Suckling
This is impressive in so many ways. Deeply complex dark cherries, plums and blackberries are framed in seductive fragrance and spicy complexity and the palate has a plush thread of ripe, deeply flavorsome blueberries, dark cherries and plums. Supple, fleshy and detailed texture. Great wine. Drink or hold.
2018 | 96 points James Suckling
Wow! This has such impressively ripe, intense, dark-cherry aromas with striking purity. Some gently spicy notes and dark-stony, mineral notes, too. So youthful and fresh. The palate has a very juicy and deep feel with a very concentrated core of dark-cherry flesh and a long, vibrant and sleek finish. Great wine.
2019 | 94 points James Suckling
Aromas of cherries, raspberries, flowers, dried herbs and baking spices. Medium-bodied with crunchy tannins and bright acidity. Juicy and supple with savory and mineral character. Light smoked meat at the end, So pure, textured and refined. Long finish. Attractive now, but better in two or three years.