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1999 Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot Noir : The Best Wine We've made ... SO FAR!


	An aerial view of Ridgecrest Vineyards on Ribbon Ridge, from the southeast.

It is true that the excellence being seen right now in Oregon wines is largely because of maturity — maturity of the industry, maturity of the winemakers and, most importantly, maturity of vines. It is nowhere more apparent than in the 1999 Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot noir to be released in August.

From the vineyard we began with in 1980, this wine’s fruit came from vines half in their 19th leaf (725 plants/acre density) and half in their 12th leaf (1440 plants/acre).In other words, exhibiting maturity and an ability to show terroir and physiological balance, and therefore ultimate elegance and complexity. Coupled with the winemaking maturity that dictated dropping crop to 1.4 tons per acre because of a cool growing season and unlikely ability to ripen a full crop, the scene has been set for release of our best Pinot noir ever. The wine is as rich, full of black fruit, aging acidity and fine tannin, and impeccably balanced as we have ever been able to attain.We don’t need press ratings to validate our opinion, but the first have begun to come in with a 94 from the Beverage Testing Institute and Tastings magazine.

Ridgecrest Vineyards closer up Ridgecrest was the first vineyard for us; looking at the raw pastureland on the top of Ribbon Ridge 21 years ago, after a hurried return from vacation, we knew what we saw but did not know how great the locale would be. It was a labor of love for the family and me, with Wynne and Ian growing up to the rhythm of the seasons on the vineyard, our friends often measuring the passage of time with the noticeable change in the vineyard and the children. Much in addition to planting densities has changed since then, but the vineyard remains reliable, proving itself one of the best vineyard sites in Oregon. (Read more about Ridgecrest Vineyards in our About Us section.)

Others have moved onto Ribbon Ridge since our pioneering efforts, including friends like Beaux Freres, Brick House, Patti Green, Adelsheim (through their partners Lynn and Jack Loacker), Archery Summit and several other vineyard operations. It is legitimately the hottest vineyard property in the valley. Seeing the common black, briery, dusty fruited and earthy aspects of our wines on the ridge, as well as the common high standard of quality, Ribbon Ridge may soon become the smallest Oregon AVA, with efforts underway in the Willamette Valley this Fall to seek four or five formally recognized appellations to better define the growing region for consumers.

Ridgecrest Vineyards Ridgecrest proper is 38 acres of Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Gamay noir, on a 72 acre parcel. However, we also own 93 acres in two other parcels either contiguous (Chapman property) or almost so (Simmons property or Wind Ridge Vineyards). They will be planted over the next few years. But, then again, there is no rush. Maturity teaches us that.

The only negative for 1999 Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot noir is that, despite its unrivaled dark-fruited richness, ageability, complexity and texture, it will only be our best released wine for three months.Until the 1999 Rion Reserve is released.