The 2014 vintage has the richness and power of 2012 but the restraint and balance of the classic 2013 vintage.  Fresher and more balanced than 2009, and every bit as powerful, this vintage of a lifetime may be Oregon’s best harvest to date.  From bud-breaking throughout harvest, growers and winemakers statewide experienced almost ideal growing conditions that delivered a record amount of exceptional, balanced fruit.

While the 2013-2014 winter may have started out as cold and wet followed by a wet and warm spring, the hot and dry summer allowed for an idea, if not early, harvest.  These seasonal characteristics led to bud-break, bloom and harvest all occurring close to two weeks earlier than usual.  Despite the early progression, the warm temperatures – along with minimal issues due to rain, disease and birds – lead to even cluster development and a beautiful balance between sugar levels and structure in the berries.  This resulted in deeply concentrated wines with luscious dark fruit flavor profiles.  Warmer vintages may have the potential for high sugar and pH levels that produce wines that are stylistically different in both regional and varietal character.  However, it is safe to say that 2014 may be one of the finest and most harmonious vintages in the history of Willamette Valley.

Vinification
All grapes were hand-harvested and hand-sorted to ensure the highest quality fruit.  Twenty percent of the fruit came from Yamhill-Carlton AVA and another eleven percent came from McMinnville AVA, giving this wine added complexity and style.  The fruit underwent a two-day soak prior to fermentation occurred over a five month period.  The wine was aged for eight months in French oak barrels from a variety of coopers.

Harvest Date: September 13, 2014
Brix:23.6    pH:3.59
Alc: 13.7%    TA: 5.6 g/L