Wine Notes > Pinot Noir > Previous Release

1999 Stoller Vineyards Pinot Noir

(updated 11/9/01)

2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Chehalem 1999 Stoller Vineyards Pinot Noir

The Wine

This wine is the third commercially released vineyard-specific wine from Stoller Vineyards. This single vineyard designate is predominantly from its oldest planting of Dijon fruit and provides great ripeness with decent acid backbone. There is an intriguing roasted herb thread and amazing palate length to this wine.

The Vineyard

Stoller Vineyards is our newest, and therefore most viticulturally advanced, of our three estate vineyards. A south-sloping, 100 acre vineyard on a 350 acre parcel, Stoller Vineyards commands a dominating view of the southern end of the Red Hills of Dundee, giving it regular comparison to Burgundy's Corton Hill. Stoller Vineyards is planted to jory soil, with a touch of Nekia, which are both red volcanic soil types.

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 10/11-10/12/99 @ an average 23.0 brix, 3.3 pH, and 7.98 g/l TA

Fermentation:

Average of 10 days total fermentation with 5 days pre maceration

Cooperage/Aging:

11 months in barrel, with one racking, in 41% new French oak barrels and 16% 1 prior use

Wine Selection:

Selected barrels from two fermentation lots

Bottling:

Bottled 9/23/00

Bottling Analyses:

13.0% alcohol, 5.3 g/l TA, 3.68 pH

Cases Produced:

600

Suggested Retail:

$39

Release Date:

May, 2001

Winemaker's Comments

We see sweet and juicy as a common theme in our notes. Beginning with a lanky mineral, herb and green streak, a flood of juicy crushed red raspberry fruit, black cherry soda and sweet oak overwhelms the palate. It has a texture and finish that is exceptionally full, broad and sweet, and is currently oak centered, but will fill-out even more over the next year; this new vineyard is finding its center of great red fruit, soft texture and a delicate structure. We are pleased with this vineyard's progress; can you imagine it with additional age on the vines?

Quotes

The Wine Advocate, August, 2001: 86 points. ... has a black fruit and grilled herb-scented nose that leads to blackberry cassis, thyme and rosemary-flavored character.