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2003 Corral Creek Pinot Noir

(updated May 1, 2006)

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The Wine

This wine is the single vineyard wine from Corral Creek Vineyards, the vineyards surrounding the winery and recently the source of very consistent, balanced wines, without extremes of fruit, acid, tannin or barrel. They have become a favorite of those who want elegance without having to wait years for it to appear from the musculature of bigness.

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 reworked plots of Dijon Chardonnay and Pinot gris, and both new grafts of Riesling and a heritage 1.1 acre block of 15 year old Riesling, it 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. Visible from Highway 99W, and with seductively folded land masses, this may be the most photographed vineyard in Oregon.

The Vintage

This is an excellent vintage, albeit unusual in the fiery nature of the growing season. The same dry and warm growing and ripening seasons held for 2003 as with the past few vintages, only moreso, with Region II (not cool climate!) heat accumulations of 2500 units, average highs of 78F July-October and half the normal rainfall with 2.75 inches. Fruit was disease free, crop loads were easily honed to desired levels, and soil moisture was adequate due to good pre-season winter rains. Concerns of the vintage center on high sugars and resultant high alcohols, and low acids. Almost comparable past vintages like excellent 1992 may urge us not to worry.

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested 9/28, 29, 30 &10/10/03 @ 24.2-26.0 brix, 3.4-3.57 pH, and 4.4-5.7 g/l TA, from 2.1 tons per acre cropload

Fermentation:

Average of 12-15 days total fermentation with 5 to 8 days pre maceration

Cooperage/Aging:

11 months in barrel, with one racking, in 50% new, 30% one use and 20% multiple use French oak barrels

Wine Selection:

Selected barrels from three fermentation lots

Bottling:

Bottled 9/7/04

Bottling Analyses:

15.2 % alcohol, 6 g/l TA, 3.6 pH

Cases Produced:

224

Suggested Retail:

$39

Release Date:

May 2005

Winemaker's Comments

This wine shows complex red-black cherry/raspberry/plum fruit, in the red-blue-black signature of the vintage, with amazing weight and fine tannin on the palate. The density of this wine, a silky-velvety texture and good acid make the Corral Creek, as usual, a balanced, symmetrical and understated Pinot noir, even in this vintage.

Quotes

The Wine Advocate, June 2006, Pierre Rovani: 92. I flipped for Chehalem's 2003 Pinot Noir Corral Creek, the finest they've produced from this vineyard to date. Its enticing spiced dark fruit aromas lead to a medium to full-bodied personality awash in fruit. Loads of black cherries, candied red berries, and spices are found in this broad, lush wine. A seamless, decadent effort....

Pinot Report, December 15, 2005: 91. Medium-deep ruby purple color; spice, earth berry and cherry aromas; deep, rich, concentrated cherry flavors with earthy notes, spicy oak, good structure and balance; long finish. Deep and intense, this Pinot has many layers of flavor and a silky texture.

Burghound.com, October, 2005, Allen Meadows: 88. An expressive, ripe, earthy and dark berry fruit nose that possesses subtle upper register notes combined with round, rich and sweet middle weight flavors that display good precision and fine length…Solid quality here crafted in a generous, forward yet harmonious style.

International Wine Cellar, May/June 2005, “Focus on Oregon Pinot Noir,” Josh Raynolds: 88. Bright, light red. Ripe juicy, dark raspberry aroma, with very subtle oak spice, and licorice notes…This offers very pretty, concentrated, extremely pure dark berry flavors and a fresh, exuberant personality.

Northwest Palate, July/August 2005: Highly recommended. Peppery aroma with ripe notes of black fruit. Sweet berry toast and lush black cherry fruit flavors. Long finish with peppery spice…