|
|
|
 |
2007 Pinot Noir, Justice Vineyard
Release Date: 5/26/2009 Price: $48 Production: 420cases Production Notes: The grapes were fermented in a small stainless tank after one day of cold maceration. The wine aged for 16 months in 34% new French oak barrels and was bottled by gravity without fining. Crop Level 2.6 tons/ acre This Pinot noir complements sweet meat entrees - salmon, lamb chops, pork tenerloin and filet. When served young, this wine is best opened 1-2 hours before serving . It is drinkable at release and will benefit from aging up to 8 years.
|
|
|
|
Winemaker Notes
Justice Vineyard is located just over the east ridge of the Eola-Amity Hills just south of Bethel Heights Winery. Planted in 2001 at 500' in elevation on a southeast slope of thin volcanic soil, the vineyard faces the Cascade Mountains. These grapes come from a 2.33 acre block in the NW corner of the vineyard. It is a state-of-the-art, vertical canopy, high density planting of Pinot noir clone 777 and is farmed by one of Oregon's best grapegrowers, Ted Casteel. Our first vintage was in 2004.
I consider it to be a blessing to access fruit from Justice Vineyard. I have asked counsel regarding grape growing problems from Ted Casteel for years. To make wine from fruit grown by him is a gift.
2007 was one of the more challenging harvests in the past decade. The season began early with sunny and dry weather in May and June. Bloom was about a week earlier than normal indicating that we would expect to begin picking in late September. The crop level was thinned significantly in late July targeting yields of between 2.1 and 2.7 tons per acre for Pinot noir.
September was cooler than normal and the cool weather continued into October. Intermittent rains slowed maturity and increased the risk of rot. Sunny periods between the rain events allowed the critical process of ripening and flavor development to continue. The tension mounted as waited and prayed for sun watching the acids soften, the tannin sweeten, and the flavors gain complexity. The first grapes were finally picked on October 5th, ten days later than expected. By October 15th, all of the fruit was picked, making 2007 our shortest harvest. The extended hang time produced exceptional white wines and complex, layered Pinot noirs.
Tasting Notes
Great vineyard locations produce wines that transcend the difficulties of a vintage. By this definition, Justice is a great vineyard. The 2007 Justice Vineyard Pinot noir reveals complex aromas of allspice, clove, ginger wrapped around the scent of a ripe, mixed berry cobbler. While enormously attractive to smell, the mouth reveals a broad spectrum of sweet and roasted spice, concentrated red and black berries, pain grillé, orange peel, and summer wildflowers. This wine luxuriates on your palate, with its rich scents and flavors continuing long into its finish. Its tannins are perfectly balanced and integrated providing the opportunity to drink in its youth or watch it evolve over 8 years.
Although only in its seventh leaf, this wine has a breadth of texture and flavor layers that indicate very great potential for this site as the vines achieve maturity. It is a great match for chops, grilled meats, salmon, wild game, and a wide variety of risotto and pasta dishes.
Mark Vlossak, winemaker