About This Product
$22.00 / Bottle
WINE PROFILE
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WINEMAKING NOTES
The 2008 Barrel Select Pinot Noir is a selection of approximately 13 barrels. 10% of these barrels were new French oak chosen from specific coopers and forests to match the fruit profile of the vineyard. There were three clones of Pinot Noir used to produce the wine; own-rooted Pommard and Wadenswil and a bit of grafted 777.
Harvest was later than usual, but the clusters came in small and perfectly ripe. Because the nights were so chilly, and picking was done very early in the morning, the fruit came in very cold. This resulted in a long natural cold soak prior to the onset of fermentation, further concentrating a must that was already rich in fruit. Ferments were done in small, 1.25 ton fermemters without the use of commercial yeast strains. The use of 30% whole clusters added spice and enhanced mouth feel. Punch downs were done twice daily and fermentations were problem-free, lasting 14 to 21 days. 328 cases were bottled in late August, 2009.
VINTAGE NOTES
2008 was another challenging vintage for Willamette Valley winegrowers. Bud break got off to a late start due to cold, wet spring weather. As a result, bloom was late and the fruit set small. As late as the end of September, the fruit was not yet ripe and the fall rains looked like they might set in at any time. Fortunately instead, the Valley was treated to an incredible Indian summer. Long, warm, sunny days followed by very cool nights created ideal conditions. Aggressive fruit thinning in order to insure the changes of ripening what was left on the vines, was rewarded with a perfectly ripe crop; moderate in sugars, very concentrated and exceptionally well balanced. Within a week, everything was off the vine and into the winery by the 17th of October.
