Description
Type: Red
Country: USA
Region: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol Percentage:14%
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Ratings: 92 Decanter Points (for 2019)
Climate: The Willamette Valley climate is relatively mild throughout the year, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. While moisture is abundant, most of the rainfall occurs in the winter, not during the growing season. This temperate climate, combined with coastal marine influences, make the gentle growing conditions within the Valley ideal for cool-climate grapes
Terroir: Grapes grown in the Wit’s End vineyards, which drapes down the southwestern slope of the Chehalem Mountain Range at 400 feet elevation. Planted mainly in sedimentary soils among stands of native trees and two natural springs, the vineyard is a quintessential Willamette Valley landscape, teeming with wildlife—including owls and hawks, coyotes and even cougars.
Ageing: Handpicked Pinot Noir grapes are chilled overnight to 40F. The next day, whole berries are de-stemmed into small 1.6 tons fermenters for a 10-Day cold soak. During this cold soak, 100% of the stems that were removed are collected and separately aged for 7 days under inert gas. Removing the stems is a paramount step since traditional whole cluster fermentation does not ensure fully ripe stems. Then the aged stalks/stems are hand punched into the cold grape berry fermenters, kicking off the fermentation. They are punched down twice a day until the end of fermentation. The grapes are then gently pressed and the juice is transferred to French oak barrels and matured for 18 months before bottling.
Color: Ruby red
Nose: Aromatic profile of spices such as vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa nibs and black liquorice with a touch of fennel leaf
Palate: Flavourful impression with a rich, tannin-gripping texture that entices your taste buds. A lovely balance of flavours which includes burnt caramel, caraway seed spices, ripe & rich fruit (blueberry and black cherry) on a long earthy finish
