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2001 Corral Creek Pinot Noir

(updated 3/12/04)

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The Wine

This wine is the third commercially released vineyard-specific wine from Corral Creek Vineyards, the vineyards surrounding the winery and usually dedicated to be the core of our well-known 3 Vineyard blend.

The Vineyard

Corral Creek, although not our oldest estate vineyard, was begun in 1983 by John and Diane Howieson, founders of Veritas Winery from whom the vineyard was purchased in 1995. A 25 acre vineyard predominantly planted to pinot noir, with significant grafts of Dijon chardonnay and Pinot gris being made at the vineyard, but not touching a 1.1 acre block of 15 year old Riesling, is nestled on a low bench above Corral Creek. Soils are Laurelwood, a predominantly blown sedimentary soil series (i.e., loess) that, although being low in elevation, is well drained and not terribly fertile.

The Vintage

2001 is a soft, big vintage. It saw almost ideal growing and ripening weather and less than an inch of rain during harvest. This is not a typical cool climate vintage and the pinot noirs will be soft, fleshy and early appealing. Whites will be full and broad, and early maturing. The alcohols are restrained slightly by yields that were neither too generous nor forced extreme extraction: pinot noirs, 2.38 tons/acre; chardonnay, 2.77; pinot gris, 2.26; riesling, 2.77; gamay noir, 1.86; pinot blanc, 4.27.

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested from 10/4/01-10/19/01 @ an average 24.4 brix, 3.40 pH, and 5.8 g/l TA, from 1.9 tons per acre cropload

Fermentation:

Average of 14 days total fermentation with 6 to 7 days pre maceration

Cooperage/Aging:

11 months in barrel, with one racking, in 35% new French oak barrels and 70% new and 1 prior use

Wine Selection:

Selected barrels from two fermentation lots

Bottling:

Bottled 9/11/02

Bottling Analyses:

14.3% alcohol, 5.6 g/l TA, 3.81 pH

Cases Produced:

470

Suggested Retail:

$39

Release Date:

May, 2003

Winemaker's Comments

When we decide to do a Corral Creek single vineyard pinot noir, you can expect it to be good. "Good"for this vineyard means, above all else, balanced. It is never excessive in any aspect, and this year is no exception. Expect it to be delicately fruity with typical red fruit aspects such as cherry, strawberry, raspberry; with fine tannin, good acid and a fleshiness that spreads over the palate, to make what initially appears a light wine sizably broad and long. It is structured enough to age well and should plump up from its finesse and sinewy youth to a roundness of middle age in another year or so. We were obviously pleased with the vintage at this vineyard.

Quotes

Wine Spectator, 91. Once part of Veritas, this 25 acre vineyard has become a jewel in Chehalem's output, consistently achieving outstanding ratings. Light and bright, this one is immensely appealing for its pure currant and red berry flavors on a wide-open texture, retaining delicacy and persisting elegantly on the finish. Drink now through 2008.

Northwest Palate, January/February, 2004: Recommended. Peppery aromas of black cherry, faint herb, and chocolaty barrel toast. Youthful berry flavors balance sweet toasty oak into a long chocolaty finish.