Raptor Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2007

Our 2007 Pinot noir/Willamette Valley is a complex blend of 13 different vineyards and clones, each harvested, fermented and barrel-aged separately. Fruit in this cuvee was predominately sourced from the Laurelwood soils of the Chehalem Mountains AVA: Hawks View Vineyard (30%) as well as Shaw Mountain and Dion Vineyards (9%), Arbre Verte Vineyard (4%) and Eds Vineyard (4%). All of these sites have fairly mature vines, with Arbre Verte leading the pack at 28 years. The typical plumy notes and soft tannin profiles of the Chehalem Mountains AVA fruit were given form, structure and spice by blending fruit from sites in the McMinnville AVA: Stony Mountain Vineyard (22%) and a modicum from Meredith Mitchell Vineyard (7%).

This approachable Pinot has pleasing notes of plum and cherry cola on the nose. It opens with a light, high-toned cherry, but as it takes on air, finishes more fully and roundly with a focused dark cherry core and ripe plum meat nuances. Still young upon release, this wine will flesh out after its sixth month in the bottle. The boisterous balance of fruit and acid makes for a great wine-by-the-glass choice.