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2002 Oregon Pinot Noir Reserve

(updated May 1, 2006)

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NOTE: beginning in this vintage, we give Patrice RION his name back, having thanked him for 8 vintages for help he gave in the mid 90s by naming this wine for him—his new negociant brand would seem to benefit from fewer Rions in the marketplace. Thanks again, Patrice.

The Wine

We look for this wine to embody the essence of pinot noir. Select barrels and fermentation lots are chosen from Ridgecrest Vineyards before any blending is done in the cellar. We choose components to make a wine that epitomizes finesse, elegance, complexity, textural silkiness, and palate breadth and length for the vintage. We think these elements are what pinot noir is all about—not as big and macho as we can make it, but as beautiful and feminine as we can make it. Its balance makes it optimally ageable.

The Vineyard

To date, our Reserve has used fruit exclusively Ridgecrest Vineyards, our oldest estate vineyard, 37 acres 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 Mountains. Soils are a Willakenzie soil called Wellsdale, a transition soil series exhibiting characteristics of both volcanic and ocean sedimentary underlying structures. The rich, supple black cherry and blackberry fruits are characteristic of Ridgecrest Vineyards and the Willakenzie soil type. Excellent acidity, silky texture and a long finish are hallmarks of the vineyard site, being relatively high in elevation, mature in vine age and deeply rooted.

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:

October 14/15th and 19/20th for Babies Pommard/Wadenswil and 5 Acre Pommard/Wadenswil blocks at Ridgecrest Vineyards, respectively; with sugars of 23.9-25.6; acids of 6.2-7.4 g/L; pHs of 3.28-3.36; from yields of 3.08-3.68 tons/acre

Fermentation:

12-17 day total fermentation time, with 7-10 day cold macerations, with enzyme; native ferments on 88%, RC212 on 12%; ½ g tartaric added at fermentation; Average 21% whole cluster (0-36% range for 5 component fermentation lots)

Cooperage/Aging:

Aged for 11 months in French oak, with 44% new, 63% new or once-used barrels

Clonal Selection:

38% of this cuvee is from the 5-acre block planted in 1982, 2/3 Pommard and 1/3 Wadesnswil clones; 62% is from the Babies block (60% Wadenswil and 40% Pommard) planted in 1989/90; total 56% Pommard clone, 44% Wadenswil

Bottling:

Bottled on 9/12/2003

Bottling Analyses:

14.9 % alcohol; 3.63 pH; 5.2 g/L TA

Cases Produced:

1267 6-bottle cases 750mls

Suggested Retail:

$50

Release Date:

October, 2004

Winemaker's Comments

From a great vintage, the ultimate feminine Pinot noir. There is intense red and black fruit, with raspberry, cherry, black cherry, blackberry and even huckleberry fruit complexity—think cobbler with spice and acid. It is elegantly textured, with tannin so fine it is satin, and a plush richness that presents velvet impressions. There is acid brightness from the long cool ripening; power and depth in alcohol and polysaccharide fullness; balance is as good as I've done, so it is very ageable.

Quotes

Wine Spectator, May 15, 2006, “Seduction in a Glass”: 90. Harry Peterson-Nedry is one of the pioneers, and his exemplary estate vineyards in the Chehalem Mountain AVA make an elegant style.

International Wine Cellar, May/June 2005, “Focus on Oregon Pinot Noir,” Josh Raynolds: 91. Emphatic, juicy, high-pitched aromas of red berry, fresh cranberry and pomegranate, complicated by a candied rose petal note. In the mouth, this opulent pinot shows vibrant, intense raspberry and wild strawberry flavors and finishes with a rather delicate, sappy quality. The wine’s bright red berry flavors call to mind an excellent Chambolle-Musigny.

Burghound.com, October 2004, Allen Meadows: 90. A more deeply pitched red and black fruit nose merges into round, rich, sweet and very supple medium full flavors blessed with generous amounts of extract, length and overall character. I particularly like he finishing intensity and the supple character makes this a wine that could be approached now or held for another 3-5 years.

Northwest Palate Magazine, November/December 2004, Tasting Notes: Highly Recommended. ...deep aromas of black cherry, plum, and graham. Well structured, with fine, ripe tannins and bright, vibrant flavors of black cherry and graham. Focused, juicy, and balanced...

The Wine Advocate, October 2004, Pierre Rovani: 93. ...nose of gorgeously sweet red cherries...rich and precise, bold and elegant. Loads of red cherries, blackberries and kirsch, and notes of blueberries...concentrated and exceptionally well-balanced, this wine also appears to be holding a great deal in reserve.