current release
2022 yamhill-carlton INCLINE pinot noir
winemaker notes
Vibrantly crimson, our Yamhill-Carlton Estate Incline Pinot Noir leads with intense juicy black figs and follows it up with subtle rosemary and leather notes. This wine is like smooth velvet that coats the whole palate with an inky black fruit profile. With a full body and balanced acidity this wine is approachable now, though it will age well for 10 years.
winemaking details
In 2022, we did a 100% destemmed native ferment. The average fermentation time was 20 days in stainless steel vessels. This wine was aged on lees for 11 months in 10% new oak barrels, split between Taransaud French oak barrels and Kádár Hungarian oak barrels. Alcohol of 13.8%.
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 wines are expected to showcase expressive aromatics, ranging from red and black fruits to floral and spice notes. 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
Fruit for this label is sourced from our organically farmed Quartz Acorn Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton. 276 cases were produced in 2022.
reviews
2016 | 93 points Wine Advocate
The 2016 Incline Pinot Noir is pale to medium ruby-purple in color with delicate aromas of dried cranberries and red cherries with touches of crushed rock, violets and black tea leaves. Light to medium-bodied, it has lovely layers of red fruits, mineral notes and violets in the mouth, a good frame of soft, fine-grained tannins and great juicy acidity, finishing long and pretty. – Erin Brooks
2019 | 92 points James Suckling
Aromas of sour cherries, redcurrants and mushrooms with sweet-spice undertones. It’s medium-bodied with fine, chalky tannins. Fresh and pure with crunchy character and a vibrant finish.