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2002 Corral Creek Pinot Noir

(updated 11/03/04)

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The Wine

This wine is the single vineyard wine from Corral Creek Vineyards, the vineyards surrounding the winery and recently the source of very consistent, balanced wines, without extremes of fruit, acid, tannin or barrel. They have become a favorite of those who want elegance without having to wait years for it to appear from the musculature of bigness.

The Vineyard

Corral Creek, although not our oldest estate vineyard, was begun in 1983 by John and Diane Howieson, founders of Veritas Winery from whom the vineyard was purchased in 1995. A 25 acre vineyard predominantly planted to pinot noir, with significant reworked plots of Dijon Chardonnay and Pinot gris, and both new grafts of Riesling and a heritage 1.1 acre block of 15 year old Riesling, it is nestled on a low bench above Corral Creek. Soils are Laurelwood, a predominantly blown sedimentary soil series (i.e., loess) that, although being low in elevation, is well drained and not terribly fertile. Visible from Highway 99W, and with seductively folded land masses, this may be the most photographed vineyard in Oregon.

The Vintage

2002 is an amazing vintage, characterized by an early, warm growing season, a spurt of rain prior to the harvest period that served to stabilize sugars, acids and pHs, and a dry, long harvest period with cool-to-moderate temperatures that allowed us to pick at precisely timed points for ultimate ripeness. For example, Pinot noir was picked over a full month, from September 26 through October 26. Healthy croploads permitted full ripeness over this extended harvest, with excellent concentration and retained acidities. (For more, see the Spring 2004 newsletter feature article, The 2002 Vintage, As Good As They Say?)

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested 10/5/02-10/9/02 @ 22.2-23.4 brix, 3.3-3.40 pH, and 6.0 g/l TA, from 2.6 tons per acre cropload

Fermentation:

Average of 15 days total fermentation with 6 to 9 days pre maceration

Cooperage/Aging:

11 months in barrel, with one racking, in 33% new, 42% one use and 25% multiple use French oak barrels

Wine Selection:

Selected barrels from two fermentation lots

Bottling:

Bottled 9/8/03

Bottling Analyses:

14.4% alcohol, 5.2 g/l TA, 3.72 pH

Cases Produced:

270

Suggested Retail:

$39

Release Date:

May, 2004

Winemaker's Comments

Beautiful semi-transparent, moderate garnet color, with an elegant raspberry and bright cherry nose, this wine is quintessential Corral Creek. It is perfectly balanced, carries sweet spices, a silk and linen texture, and sweet fruit and hints of wood on the palate. Focused, with good acid and fine tannin, Corral Creek fans and reviewers should respond with "oh, yeah"s. As good as we've done, at least since 1998.

Quotes

Burghound.com, October 2004, Allen Meadows: 89. Another notch up in elegance and a bit more mid-palate stuffing as the beautifully rendered red fruit perfectly complements the sappy, sweet and pure medium full flavors that offer excellent precision on the moderately structured, nicely long finish. This is a delicious, yet entirely serious effort crafted in a style that emphasizes purity and elegance.

The San Francisco Chronicle, October 21, 2004, "The Chronicle's Wine Selections: Oregon Pinot Noir $30 and over." Body: Medium. Dryness: Dry. Comments: Very good. Toasty style; aromas and flavors of black cherry, black plum, cranberry, nutmeg and mushroom; very earthy with plush tannins; mineral on the finish. Limited production.

The Wine Advocate, October 2004, Pierre Rovani: 90. ...broad, silky textured...loads of sweet satiny red as well as black fruits...

Northwest Palate, July/August 2004: Recommended. Fragrant aroma of cherry fruit, with a warm, spicy, vibrant cherry fruit flavor. Youthful and bright; pair with cedar-planked salmon.

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