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1998 Pinot Noir
Seven Springs Vineyard Release Date: 9/2000 Retail Price $: 30.00 Availability: 1120 cases Production Notes Seven Springs Vineyard, overlooking the fertile Willamette Valley from its position in the hills west of Salem, produced the Pinot noir grapes for this wine. The grapes were grown on a steep southeast slope, protected from the maritime winds by a fold in the hills. The vineyard bocks were planted in 1982, 1988, and 1992. The grapes were fermented in a small tank after four days of cold maceration. The wine aged for 19 months in 70% new 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 load: 2.2 tons/acre This Pinot noir complements foods with wild berry, earth, and spice flavors - gamebirds, venison, wild mushooms - and will benefit from up to 12 years of bottle age. |
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Winemaker Notes
1998 was an amazing year for Pinot noir. The crop at Seven Springs was about 10% below normal and ripened perfectly. My winemaking goals were to capture the complex flavors of this site, the powerful fruit of 1998, and keep all of the component parts in balance. From early on, the Seven Springs was wonderful. I believe that this is the best Pinot noir I have ever made.
In 1998, we also produced 63 cases of 1998 Pinot noir, Seven Springs Vineyard, special selection. This wine was only available for order as a future at Thanksgiving 1999. The wine was selected for compexity and longevity. Eighty per of the blend came from new Cadus French barrels, the remainder from a second use Billion barrel.
Tasting Notes
In 1998, the Pinot noirs acheived an unusual degree of ripeness. I believe that ripeness is a reflection of the grapes ability to develop typical flavors with increased concentration and complexity. Seven Spring's produces layered fruit with wild, brambly raspberries and blackberries along with pepper, pie spice, and a mushroomy, earthy undertone. In 1998, the fruit concentration was greater than in any previous vintage. The wine shows both beautiful fruit to an incredible degree and all those layers more commonly associated with Burgundy. Additionally, my Seven Springs Pinot noirs age longer than any other wine that I make. This will easily be 12 years with the 1998 vintage.