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1999 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir

(updated 8/9/01)

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The Wine

This is our "best value" and "approachable early" Pinot noir. But that shouldn't fool you into believing the quality is anything but great. Made in exactly the same way as our most highly touted pinots--as a matter of fact ALL Pinots are made with the same care, receive the same oak, etc.-- the 3 Vineyard sometimes competes head-to-head with the others for praise. (The 1998 received 93 point scores, the 1997 91 point scores in major publications.)

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 provides 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. Shorter term, this entry-level wine has often bested the other Pinot noirs in our cellar in publication scores.

The Vintage

The 1999 vintage is the second of three excellent vintages in a row. A great year for white wines because of retained acidity, Pinot noir also benefited from good structure and good ripeness, making the vintage good for aging. Some vineyards were exceptional in the vintage, others very good.

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested from 9/24-10/6/99 (Stoller Vineyard, 67%, Ridgecrest, 11%, and Corral Creek 21%) @ an average 22.1-25.1 brix, 3.1 -3.6 pH, and 5.8 g/l TA.

Fermentation:

12-15 days total fermentation with 5-8 days pre maceration.

Cooperage/Aging:

11 months in barrel, 9 without racking, in 33% new French oak barrels and 34% 1 prior use.

Wine Selection:

Selected barrels from most fermentation lots.

Bottling:

Bottled 9/22/00 with DE (Diatomaceous earth) filtration.

Bottling Analyses:

13.0% alcohol, 5.8 g/l TA, 3.51pH, 0.04% residual sugar.

Cases Produced:

1892

Suggested Retail:

$25

Release Date:

November, 2000

Winemaker's Comments

Back to almost normal crop and production levels in 1999, this 3 Vineyard is rich, full and well structured. The Corral Creek fruit and a major amount of young vine Stoller fruit found its way here during this vintage. It is tight and more roasted herb than fruit driven at this stage (February 2001), but will bloom, and within six months, will yield a very dense and complex wine. It has red fruit, and a spice and herbal-tinged aromatic, with an already full and complex texture. It will gradually lengthen and flesh out, and reveal more red and black fruit, and oak accents. Released early, it will benefit from drinking late.

Quotes

K&L Wine Merchants, San Francisco & Redwood, CA, July 2001. ... rich, intense, with extraordinary balance and harmony. The hefty, deep red and black fruit on the palate is richly layered with spice and balanced acidity that will stand up to substantial meals.

Beverage Testing Institute, Tastings, Spring 2001. 89 Points. Deep violet-purple hue. Fresh aromas have an herbal note. Crisp and vibrant on the attack with a medium-bodied palate and a taut, lean finish.

Friends of the Vine (Japan), Spring 2001 Newsletter. ...here we find the trademark Oregon pinot aroma of black cherries ever faintly blending with herb and tea notes... The fresh acidity lingers on the tongue and makes you want to refill your glass again and again. Wine Spectator celebrated the '98 vintage with a high 93 point score and the '99 follows in this glory.