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1999 Pinot Noir
Seven Springs Vineyard Release Date: 9/2001 Retail Price: $ 360/cse Availability: 1338 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 blocks were planted in 1982, 1988, and 1992. The grapes were fermented in a small tank after three days of cold maceration. The wine aged for 19 months in 64% 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 2.5 tons/ acreHarvest 10/11/99 Bottled May 2001 Production 1338 cases This Pinot noir complements foods with wild berry, earth, and spice flavors - gamebirds, venison, wild mushrooms - and will benefit from aging up to 12 years.
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Winemaker Notes
Last fall I said that the 1998 Seven Springs was the greatest Pinot noir I ever made. It still is. The 1999 Seven Springs is very close, easily the second best Seven Springs ever. It is a bit more backward and more intense than the 1998. Otherwise it has all the wild berries, spice, white pepper, and layers of complexity that makes Seven Springs great. This is our best wine for aging 8-12 years. Pierre Rovani says I sound like a 10th grader in love when I talk about this vineyard. Perhaps he's right.