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2004 Corral Creek Pinot Noir

(released May 2006)

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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

What a difference some rain makes! Vintage 2004 was destined to be as equally hot and ripe as 2003, until we had a quenching rain in late August and then a month later. Young and early vineyards that were almost ready to harvest the first week of September could have done without the rain, but the rest (like Chehalem's) thought it a blessed relief. A short cropload, plus growing-season heat make 2004 properly plump, but with restraint. An interesting vintage-almost an average of 2001, 2002, and 2003, with perhaps a little more variability in reds and more structured, brighter whites similar to 2002.

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested 10/3/2004 @ 25.1 brix, 3.47 pH, and 5.0 g/L TA, from a 1.82 tons per acre cropload

Fermentation:

Average of 17 days total fermentation with 6 days pre maceration

Cooperage/Aging:

11 months in barrel, with one racking, in 38% new, 38% one-use, and 24% multiple-use French oak barrels

Wine Selection:

Selected barrels from three fermentation lots

Bottling:

Bottled 9/5/05

Bottling Analyses:

14.8 % alcohol, 5.8 g/L TA, 3.67 pH

Cases Produced:

200

Suggested Retail:

$39

Release Date:

May 2006

Winemaker's Comments

Bright, light-to-moderate garnet color. In the style of most Corral Creek Pinots, with dusty red fruit, stone or mineral nose, perfect balance, and an austere understatement that is its signature. Firmness, with bacon and wood elements, red and yellow cherries midpalate, and sweet red cherry on the finish. There is an interesting mix of austerity and acidity, strung on a ribbon of velour. Again, in the mode of this vineyard.

Quotes

Pinot Report, April 2007: 91. Medium ruby color; ripe, cherry, earthy and spice aromas; ripe, rich, good cherry flavors, earthy and slightly herbal notes, sweet oak, good structure and balance; long finish. A very pretty Pinot with just the right balance of bright cherry and earthy complexity to work well on the table.

Wine Spectator, November 15, 2006, Harvey Steiman: 90. Distinctive and complex in a fragile style. Appealing for the cinnamon-scented strawberry and rhubarb flavors, with a hint of cream enriching the lively finish.

International Wine Cellar, May/June 2006, Josh Raynolds: 90. Light red. Vibrant, spicy aromas of raspberry, fresh rose and mint. An elegant, silky pinot with impressive inner-mouth perfume and a tangy, mineral-driven tone to its red fruit flavors. Finishes with a juicy, succulent note of strawberry preserves.

Burghound, October 2006, Allen Meadows: 88. A very pretty and elegant nose that is classic pinot with lovely violet and blue fruit aromas that combine with rich, full and sweet flavors that are generous yet remain nicely precise on the sappy and only slightly warm finish. There is moderate oak that comes up on the finish that sweetens and rounds it a bit...

U.S. News & World Report , December 1, 2006, Great Wine Buys: An Expert's Picks, Alex Markels: U.S. News asked Shawn Lightfoot, wine buyer for Denver's Applejack Wine & Spirits, the nation's largest wine superstore, to grap a shopping cart and pick out a dozen best buys from 15,000 wines on his shelves. He could pick any variety or vintage, but was limited to a maximum of $250 for the full case... [2004 Chehalem Corral Creek Pinot Noir]... this is among the best pinots in a state known for them.

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31190 NE Veritas Lane • Newberg, OR 97132
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