88 Points “Soft and round, with a tinge of apricot to the citrus and apple flavors…”
– Wine Spectator (April 30, 2006)
89 Points
– Wine Enthusiast (July 31, 2005)
90 Points “…Its spice-laden mineral nose leads to a hugely flavorful core of rich apples, pears, and spices…”
– Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (June 30, 2006)
2004 vintage continues what has strangely become almost routine up in Oregon – a very warm growing season. However, cold Spring weather naturally lowered crop sizes, and early Fall rains challenged picking, but the extended warmth in late September produced healthy, balanced, and concentrated fruit – just a lot less than normal. Generally, the wines are light-colored, but with great varietal intensity and excellent structure. This new varietal for Elk Cove Vineyards is true to our style of white wines; clean, crisp and focused on the fruit. While there is great ripeness apparent in this wine, lean and racy also describes the 2004 Pinot Blanc. This fruit is blended of, not only, both Elk Cove Vineyards’ Estate and Mount Richmond vineyards but also two other sites in the Willamette Valley, Helmick Hill near Monmouth and Tukwilla near Dundee. We hope you enjoy this new wine selection from Elk Cove Vineyards, as we are proud to add it to our “family” of wines!
The fruit for this Pinot Blanc is hand-harvested from select hillside vineyards in the northern Willamette Valley, 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 this 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 complexity of the wine.
Review 2004.