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2003 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Villages Cuvée Release Date: 3/1/2005 Retail Price: $ 18/bottle Availability: 692 cases Production Notes The 2003 Pinot noir, Villages Cuvée is a blend of grapes from Vitae Springs, Anden, Temperance Hill Vineyards located in the northern Willamette Valley. The grapes were fermented in small tanks after one or two days of cold maceration. The wine aged for 13 months in 23% new French oak barrels and was bottled after a light gelatin fining and filtration. Crop Level 1.9 to 2.3 tons/acreHarvest Late September, 2003 Bottled December 2004 This Pinot noir complements red meat, cheese, and rich fish entrees and is ready to drink.
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Winemaker Notes
Oregon vineyards were originally planted on their 'own roots'. European grape vines, unlike American vines, have no inherent resistance to damage by the root louse phyloxera. This root louse survives by feeding on the small roots of grape vines. Damage to the small root allows secondary infections to enter the vine resulting in its death. There is no way to save infected vines short of replanting with grafted vines - european (vitus vinifera) tops and american vine roots.
Many of St. Innocent's vineyard sources have phyloxera. As we replant, the early crops have lovely fruit charactoristics, but little sense of terroir. The wines made from young vines will not be blended with older vines from our best vineyards. Our solution is to blend these 'first crops' with a consistent Pinot noir base wine from Vitae Springs Vineyard producing a Willamette Valley blend. Given the extent of our replanting efforts, the amount of Willamette Valley Pinot noir will increase in the coming vintages.
Tasting notes
The 2003 Willamette Valley has a nose and flavors of red and black fruits with spice and floral notes. Deeply colored and full bodied, it represents an excellent value. It was bottled in December 2004 and should develop over five years.