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2000 Pinot Gris
Vitae Springs Vineyard Release Date: 11/17/01 Retail Price $: 16.00 Availability: 201 cases Production Notes Vitae Springs Vineyard, established in 1986, is located in the rolling hills five miles south of Salem, Oregon. The grapes come from the lower hillside on a warm south slope of well-drained Jory clay at an average elevation of 400'. This Pinot gris was produced in a style to bring out the ripe fruit flavors without influence of barrel aging. The must was tank fermented, aged for five months on the lees, and lightly filtered before bottling. Crop Level: 2.6 tons/acre This Pinot gris complements a wide variety of foods - salmon, shellfish, chicken, grilled vegetables. |
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Winemaker Notes
Most of my Pinot gris eggs are in this basket. Six years ago I asked Earl Van Volkinburg, the grower, to quadruple the acreage, and those vines are now coming into production. This used to be the smallest production lot at St. Innocent – one year we only produced 83 cases – but no longer.
Vitae Springs produces Pinot gris with a spicy minerality along with a purity of fruit that is uncommon in Oregon. The fruit consistently gets very ripe, even in cool years. The wine ages beautifully and attains an even greater richness of fruit and viscosity after 4-7 years.
Tasting Notes
The 2000 Vitae Springs has aromas of spice, ripe pear, quince, and a touch of apricot. Pear, minerals and spice flavors are supported by lovely acid with stony minerals completing the finish. It is still quite young and will develop increased fruit and viscousity over the next several months.