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2004 Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot Noir
(new release October 2006)
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The Wine
This wine is the oldest of the three vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs we produce. Chehalem has made a Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot Noir since its first release in 1990, with selected barrels going to an upper-end elegant Reserve from Ridgecrest since 1994, and any not measuring up to this standard being designated 3 Vineyard. It is characteristically brawny, briery, dusty black-fruited, and occasionally currant or cassis, all hallmarks of Ribbon Ridge wines. Deep, sweet fruit has been balanced with fine tannin structure in recent years, which, with good acidic structure, gives good ageability.
The Vineyards
Our oldest estate vineyard, Ridgecrest is a 37-acre vineyard on a 72-acre property. Beginning in 1980, this site pioneered grapegrowing on Ribbon Ridge, a small ridge on the western end of the Chehalem Range. Soils are Willakenzie, a transition soil series exhibiting characteristics of both volcanic and sedimentary underlying structures, marine sediment being predominant. Supple black cherry and blackberry fruits are characteristic of Ridgecrest Vineyards and the Willakenzie soil series. Excellent acidity and a finesseful texture and finish are hallmarks of the vineyard site, being relatively high in elevation, mature in vine age and deeply rooted. Very ageable wines.
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 10/4–10/14/2004 @ 24.2–26.1 brix, 4.5–5.6 g/L TA, and 3.37–3.54 pH, from 1.1–2.0 tons per acre cropload
Fermentation:
Fermented with all native yeasts with 14–18 days total skin contact, 7–8 days of that pre-maceration; pectolytic enzyme used for uniform extraction; minor post maceration; average 20% whole cluster
Cooperage/Aging:
Aged for 10 months racking twice in 47% new oak, 100% new or one-year French oak
Clonal Selection:
Pommard (50%) and Wadenswil clones (50%)
Bottling:
Bottled 9/5/2005
Bottling Analyses:
15.0% Alcohol, 3.64 pH, 5.9 g/L TA
Cases Produced:
440
Suggested Retail:
$39
Release Date:
October 2006
Quotes
Wine Spectator, April 1 , 2007, Harvey Steiman: 92. Firm in texture, with effusive raspberry, plum and currant fruit that pushes through a layer of chewy tannins to make this especially expressive. Hits notes of cinnamon and licorice as the finish goes on and on.
Pinot Report , November 15, 2006, Gregory Walter: 92. Medium ruby color; deep, earthy, herbal notes; ripe, herbal, dried cherries, complex, earthy notes; sweet oak, silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Ripe and delicious Pinot with a great palette of interesting aromas and flavors.
International Wine Cellar, May/June 2006, Josh Raynolds: 90. Vibrant and fresh on the nose, offering an array of red fruit, chocolate, fresh herb and exotic spice tones. A tangy midweight with great energy to its wild strawberry, rhubarb and black tea flavors. Finishes with excellent concentration and impressive length... I'd have guessed this to be a top example of Morey-Saint-Denis.
Burghound.com, October 2006, Allen Meadows: 89. An especially ripe but unmistakably pinot nose offers abundant red berry fruit aromas that continue onto the rich, generous and sweet middle weight flavors that are wrapped in a layered and mouth coating finish...
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31190 NE Veritas Lane • Newberg, OR 97132
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Winemaker's Comments
A good vintage for reflecting the typical terroir characteristics of our vineyard sites, we see the slightly darker fruit, firmer tannins, and denser profile of Ridgecrest, compared to Stoller. Still moderate in color, but with a higher acid purple hue, this wine shows bright red and black, briery fruit, with wood spices on the nose. On the palate it exhibits sweet, broad red fruits of raspberry, tannin firmness, more spice, and a hint of alcohol. Still tightly wound, it will benefit from additional bottle age, but should last a bit longer in return.