2021 Condor
SOLD OUT
This wine is intensely concentrated and fruit-forward, with blackberry and dried leaves on the nose and black cherry and cinnamon on the palate. It’s silky smooth with a lengthy finish.
10% off on six bottles
20% off on a full case
Vintage
VINTAGE 2021 was an outstanding year at Elk Cove. Cool weather during bloom and moderate temperatures during most of the growing season brought forth an ample harvest of intensely concentrated fruit.
The timing of weather events was key to our success in 2021. Rainfall during bloom raised expectations for a small, high-quality crop. Then a once-in-amillennium heat dome event brought worrying temperatures to the Pacific Northwest. This was thankfully during the most resilient stage of the growing season and our old vines survived without sign of serious stress or sunburn. Growth resumed normally once temperatures cooled with average heat from July through September bringing even ripening to the plentiful small, loose clusters. Our vines made it through the rain and the heat in fine condition with lots of variable sized berries, known as hens and chicks.
Harvest 2021 was not only of high quality but also surprisingly bountiful. Low levels of dehydration combined with the numerous small clusters and several acres of young vines coming into maturity meant a record tonnage for Elk Cove. For red Pinot Noirs, expect intense color and flavors bursting out of the glass, while white wines and rosés are fruitforward with great acidity and balance.
Vineyard
Condor is sourced from Elk Cove Vineyards’ esteemed La Bohème Vineyard West Block’s 34-year-old vines. In 2021 we went back to traditional methods, including some whole cluster fermentation for spice and structure. The wine was aged for 10 months in French oak. It’s ready to drink now, but will improve with additional time in bottle.
Winemaking
In 2007 Elk Cove co-founder Joe H. Campbell M.D. volunteered in a small medical clinic in Arequipa, Peru. Before returning home to Oregon, he asked his colleagues how he could continue to help. They told him the most critical health need was for food assistance.
The community had a kitchen that provided a meal to 600 of the neediest, but an additional 4000 often went without a daily meal. Because of Joe’s experience as a winemaker, he came up with a plan to produce a limited production wine each year, all proceeds of which would contribute to the hunger relief program.
Viticultural & Enological Data
- Vine Age 34
- Cases Produced 65
