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2002 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir

(updated May 1, 2006)

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The Wine

This is our most widely distributed and earliest available Pinot noir. It is a wine blended from all of our vineyards and bottled before the single vineyard and reserve wines. The complementary nature of the lots that go into this blend is obvious in its full, early integration and its occasionally being considered superior to single vineyard wines. ALL pinots are made with the same care, receive the same oak, are from the same estate vineyards, etc.—the 3 Vineyard represents the very populist notion that egos and individuality may elevate some brothers and sisters, but the rest of us together are just as wise and powerful, sometimes even more so.

The Vineyards

Fruit and the name come from our three Estate Vineyards: Ridgecrest, Stoller and Corral Creek, blended into a fully-complemented wine. The estate vineyards are planted on three different soil types, which provide complementary elements in resulting wines, especially Pinot noir: Ridgecrest on Willakenzie, Stoller on Jory, and Corral Creek on Laurelwood. The excellence and distinctiveness of single vineyards can be seen in vineyard designated labels for these vineyards. However, the wisdom of complementary blends, with their consistency and fullness of character is very often seen in 3 Vineyard. (See a sidebar on blending in Spring 2004 newsletter.)

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:

Harvested 9/26-10/26/2002 (approximately 44% Ridgecrest, 38% Stoller and 18% Corral Creek) @ an average 22.2-27.3 brix, 3.20-3.65 pH, and 5.6-7.4 g/l TA, from a 3.05 tons per acre cropload

Fermentation:

12-16 days total fermentation with 5-9 days pre maceration

Cooperage/Aging:

10 months in 21% new, 27% 1 year's and 52% multiple prior use French oak barrels

Wine Selection:

Selected barrels from most fermentation lots, after reserve level selections

Bottling:

Bottled 8/4 & 5/2003 with no filtration

Bottling Analyses:

14.6 % alcohol, 5.8 g/l TA, 3.6 pH

Cases Produced:

5110

Suggested Retail:

$25

Release Date:

May 2004

Winemaker's Comments

A very good 3 Vineyard, in the league of 2000 and 1998. It is deep, dark garnet in color, has a fully fleshy red-black fruit compote nose, with slight whiffs of sweet wood and spice. The structure is soft and full, with fine tannin and a complexity and structure that invites a few months or even years aging to fully open the wine. With time it will display layers of fruit and lengthen. The wine finishes with sweet impressions of raspberry and blackberry. A great wine to learn Pinot noir by or to accompany weekday dishes.

Quotes

International Wine Cellar, May/June 2005, “Focus on Oregon Pinot Noir,” Josh Raynolds: 88. Warm aromas of roasted cherry and smoked meat. The flavors of spicy red berries and bitter cherry are accented by a subtle mint note. Tangy and fresh on the finish…

2006 Food & Wine Guide, September 2005, Jamal Rayyis: Three stars—excellent, top-notch of its type. Exceptionally smooth Pinot, made of fine layers of ripe fruit and spice.

The Oregonian, December 19, 2004, Matt Kramer. OREGON WINES WORTH REMEMBERING. Another fine pinot noir from Oregon's 2002 vintage. Lush, supple and just plain pleasing.

The Oregonian, December 5, 2004, Matt Kramer. ...owner-winemaker Harry Peterson-Nedry consistently provides a deft touch to nearly all his wines, red and white. Not surprisingly, in the 2002 vintage his workhorse pinot noir.excelled. As the name suggests, this pinot noir is sourced from three estate vineyards: Ridgecrest, Corral Creek and Stoller. a lovely example of the attributes of the 2002 vintage. It's soft, lush and catch-free down the gullet...

The Wine Advocate, October 2004, Pierre Rovani: 88. ...displays a nose of sweet plums, black cherries and violets. Medium bodied, possessing excellent depth of fruit and a solid structure, it offers loads of spicy blackberries and dark cherries in its flavor profile.

Northwest Palate, July/August 2004: Recommended. Graham and plum fruit in the nose. Focused flavors of black cherry and berry balance light toast. Juicy, clean flavors are bright and long.