Elk Cove Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2016

"The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is made with fruit from all five of vineyard sites: Estate, Mount Richmond, Five Mountain, Clay Court and Windhill.

We also purchase a small amount of select fruit from other producers who are longtime friends of Elk Cove. These sites are comprised of both Pommard and Dijon plant material, with multiple clones represented.

Tasting Notes: Full aromas of dark spicy raspberry and Bing cherry fruit are primary with wafts of cedar, leather and warm baking spice that round out the nose. Seamless on the palate with brambly flavors of fresh picked blackberries alongside cedar and chocolate components. A slight savory note of cured olives adds complexity to this elegant wine.

Winemaker's Comments: To make our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, fruit from each vineyard block is fermented separately in small, temperature controlled steel tanks, hand punched down twice daily, and barreled in 20% new french oak barrels. After 10 months of aging in 20% new oak, the wine we choose for the Willamette Valley Pinot is carefully blended to produce the most approachable, well-balanced Pinot Noir we make.

Vintage 2016 in Oregon may be remembered as the vintage of a lifetime; one of those rare vintages, reminiscent of 1988 and 2002, when you have high quality and high quantity simultaneously. This year’s warmer than average nights and moderate days created the ideal conditions that led to a faster rate of ripening due to less stress on the vines. Notes Winemaker, Adam Campbell, “the amazing summer weather led to the lowest disease pressure I have ever seen, creating a harvest that was the stuff dreams are made of – little rain, gorgeous fruit, and an easy tempo making for a relaxed and delightful crush”. These prolonged warm days and moderately cool nights with low heat stress led to ideal ripening. Fruit quality, harmony and balance were key factors in the 2016 growing season. As fruit came in with incredible evenness and extraordinary concentration, 2016 will likely be a show stopping vintage. We remain true to our goals as wine growers – looking to capture the beautiful, complex flavors that are the signature of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and other cool-climate varietals." Winemaker