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2002 Pinot Noir
Freedom Hill Vineyard Release Date: 9/2004 Retail Price $30/ bottle Availability: 463 cases Production Notes Freedom Hill Vineyard is located in the foothills of the coast range, 10 miles southwest of Salem, Oregon. The site is protected from strong coastal winds by hills to the west. It has a southeast exposure at an elevation of 390' and benefits from heat rising off the valley floor. The Wadenswil block was planted in 1982 and the Pommard Lyre block in 1988 on a well drained, silty clay loam. The grapes were fermented in a small tank after one day of cold maceration. The wine aged for 18 months in 46% new French oak barrels and was bottled without fining or filtration. A small amount of sediment may accumulate during the aging process and is normal for wine produced in this manner. Crop Level 2.1 tons/ acre |
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Winemaker Notes
For me, Freedom Hill Pinot noir is a wine with structure, depth, and richness. The site is quite warm in the day which develops rich skin tannins. Because of it proximity to Oregon Coast range, the vineyard is quite cool at night, maintaining good acidity in the fruit. This combination of tannin and acidity produces a Pinot noir with great structure. Capturing that intensity and revealing the nuances of the terroir (clay-like earthiness, dried flowers, dark spices) without excess tannins is the key to making great Freedom Hill.
For the last two years, I have maintained that 2002 was not significantly different in quality from 2001. Our yields were very similar, between 2.0 and 2.3 tons per acre. At harvest the fruit seemed similarly mature and brix levels were almost identical. I was wrong. As I have released the Pinot noirs from 2002, each one has blown me away with the purity and complexity of their fruit. They all have wonderful balance, intensity, and length. This is clearly a spectacular vintage and Shea, Seven Springs, and Freedom Hill Pinot noirs are not to be missed.
Tasting Notes
Until two months ago, I believed that the 2001 Freedom Hill Pinot noir is my best wine yet from this great vineyard. It has both great clarity of fruit and great concentration. The 2002 may be better.
There is a great purity of fruit, in 2002 both red and black, both in the nose and mouth. The tannins are rich and balanced with Freedom Hill's earthiness and spice adding additional layers on the palate. Expect steady evolution of the fruit and softening of the tannins with up to 12 years of bottle age. Perfect for that Porterhouse or T-bone. Open at least one hour before drinking.