2019 Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley
White peach, honeydew melon and kaffir lime lead into a crisp, bright palate of green apple and lemon peel. Juicy and rich, hints of fennel frond and cardamom complement the chalky minerality.
White peach, honeydew melon and kaffir lime lead into a crisp, bright palate of green apple and lemon peel. Juicy and rich, hints of fennel frond and cardamom complement the chalky minerality.
VINTAGE 2019 required experience and courage. After 45 years, we often say there isn’t a harvest we haven’t seen, but 2019 was an odd one. After a warm May and a healthy, early fruit-set, the summer ended cool with no threat of the sunburn or hazy, smoky skies seen in recent years. We expected to pick in early September, but weeks of unseasonably cool weather took us by surprise. Rather rushing to pick too early, we waited patiently for concentrations and sugar levels to rise, confident that our vineyard practices would protect the fruit.
According to Winemaker/Owner Adam Campbell “You pick your moments. If you’re 100% estate grown and you have impeccable timing – you can grow fantastic fruit in any year. It took months of preparation in the vineyard, and some very long days during crush, but we had a great crew in 2019 and managed to get sugar levels right where we want them.”
Our goal is a minimum 100 days from bloom to harvest; 2019 saw hang times as long as 125 days in some blocks. Expect wines with a big ripe core of concentrated fruit and a bright, fresh profile.
The fruit for this Pinot Blanc is all hand-harvested from our own hillside vineyards, including our Five Mountain, Mount Richmond and Estate Vineyards.
The Willamette Valley has an ideal climate for Pinot Blanc, a delicate grape variety – enough sunlight and warmth for ripening, with cooler night temperatures that help retain varietal character. To preserve the freshness, our Pinot Blanc is whole-cluster pressed then fermented at very cool temperatures in small stainless steel tanks, all of which accentuates aromatics and enhances the richness and viscosity of the wine.
Had a 2016 that I brought home to Boston a few years back. Lockdown seemed like a great time to finally open it. A few sips in, I was on the website frantically buying more. Beautiful! Great quality at this price point.
I’ve never had a gooseberry but this Pinot Blanc is refreshing, crisp and full of taste. Throughly have enjoyed it to kickoff spring in COVID-19 lock down..
Review Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley.