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1999 Pinot Gris Reserve

(updated 8/9/01)

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The Wine

This is the version of pinot gris we make to provide ultimate complexity and structure. Using Alsace as a standard, we seek weight and richness to make this more than a simple white. This Pinot gris is a true reserve wine; the fruit is divided at harvest, after full ripeness is achieved, with the reserve portion going through barrel fermentation in neutral oak. With long lees contact, full ML (malolactic fermentation), and a variety of yeasts — the wine is concentrated, complex, well-textured, and carries tropical fruit aromas and a tight pear flavor profile, accented with a honeyed richness.

The Vineyards

Fruit comes from our three Estate Vineyards: Ridgecrest, Stoller and Corral Creek, blended into a fully-complemented wine, even though the majority came from Stoller in this unusual year when Ridgecrest was cropped exceptionally low to make our first VT (vendange tardive). The estate vineyards are planted on three different soil types, which provides complementary elements in resulting wines: Ridgecrest on Willakenzie, Stoller on Jory, and Corral Creek on Laurelwood. The interaction of clone and site add great complexity, consistency and fullness of character to blends of pinot gris, especially in an excellent vintage like 1999.

The Vintage

The 1999 vintage is a great year for white wines, a cool, long growing season, which retained acidity, ending in an improbable but welcome 8 weeks of dry and moderately warm weather, which ripened fruit late but impeccably. White wines are bright with acidity, yet balanced with lush fruit. Ageability should be excellent.

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested 10/4 to 11/3,1999 (Stoller Vineyard 70%, Ridgecrest 26%, and Corral Creek 4%) @ an average of 23.1 brix, 7.3 g/l TA, and 3.15 pH.

Fermentation:

Fermented with 7 yeasts (71B, 3079, native, AC, S6U, 254,EC1118) in neutral oak.

Cooperage/Aging:

Aged for 8 months without racking (i.e., on lees).

Clonal Selection:

Bottling:

Cold stabilized and filtered, bottled 7/7/00.

Bottling Analyses:

14.4% alcohol, 7.3 g/l TA, 3.20 pH, 0.4% residual sugar.

Cases Produced:

906

Suggested Retail:

$19

Release Date:

November, 2000

Winemaker's Comments

The 1999 Pinot Gris Reserve has bracing acidity (2 points higher than normal), so expect this Pinot gris to open slowly, gain great structured complexity, and live an extremely long life. Currently (February 2001) it is tightly mute in the nose, with a clean and bracing palate of mineral and whiteness. Grapefruit, citrus, gooseberry, mineral, ginger descriptors can be associated. Great with food and great for aging and waiting.

Quotes

Beverage Testing Institute, Tastings, Spring 2001. 90 Points. Rich yellow-gold hue. Assertive aromas of grapefruit, mineral, and browned butter. Concentrated and rounded on the attack with a moderately full body and a lush mouthfeel. Lovely grapefruit and smoke flavors linger on the finish.

Sunday Oregonian, Heidi Yorkshire, February 25, 2001, Simply Wine. I opened this bottling with a dinner of grilled giant shrimp in Puerto Vallarta last month, and it was heaven. (Of course I take Oregon wine on vacation with me, don't you?) But I'm convinced that under less idyllic circumstances, Harry Peterson-Nedry's rich, multi-layered almost honeyed pinot gris would be a heck of a wine.

Aromas of talc, melon, and light toast. Rich and emollient, with flavors of apple, melon, and light toast. Well-balanced with a long, juicy finish.

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