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2007 Pinot Noir
Temperance Hill Vineyard
Release Date: 5/26/09
Retail Price: $32.00
Availability: 648 cs.
Production Notes
Temperance Hill Vineyard is located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA formed by an ancient volcanic uplift ten miles northwest of Salem, Oregon. The Pinot noir grapes come from two blocks in the eastern edge of the vineyard that were planted in 1984 and 1995 on thin weathered basalt at an average elevation of 720'.
The grapes were fermented in a small tank after one day of cold maceration. The wine aged for 16 months in 37% new French oak barrels and was bottled by gravity without fining.
Crop Level: 1.8 tons/acre
Harvest: 10/7/07
Bottled: March 2009
This Pinot noir complements grilled meat entrees - salmon, lamb chops, pork tenderloin and filet. When served young, this wine is best if allowed to breathe for 1-2 hours. It is drinkable at release or will benefit from aging up to 8 years.
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Winemaker Notes
Situated at 723' atop the Eola Hills, this is our coolest and latest ripening vineyard. The vineyard is managed by Dai Crisp, one of Oregon's great grapegrowers, and is farmed organically. We have two older blocks: one high on an east facing ridge, the other slightly lower and facing south.
We have a new block at Temperance Hill that came into production in 2007. It lies on a sheltered south facing hill just to the north of Bethel Heights Vineyard's Flat Block. It consists of two different Pinot noir clones planted on phylloxera. resistant rootstock at three times the density of our old plantings. I believe this block will become one of the best at Temperance Hill.
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
Medium ruby in color, the 2007 Temperance Hill has heady aromas of lavender and lilac layered with black cherries, sweet cherries, charcoal, cedar, and black pepper. Its attractive aromas immediately draw you to taste its dense, rich flavors. Black cherry, spice and dark earth fill your entire mouth revealing dark floral, spice box, and black raspberry and black licorice nuances. These flavors emerge and combine to create a sense of dense purity that is the essence of this Pinot noir. It is this quality that makes this such a great match with grilled foods.
When I fire up the barbecue, this is the wine I serve. It matches perfectly with grilled salmon, meats, vegies and potato salad (my favorite summer meal). Ready to drink, the 2007 Pinot noir, Temperance Hill will evolve over 8-10 years.
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