Winemaker Notes
TASTING NOTES
How deep is the ocean? How long does the ‘E' note of a string double bass vibrate through one's
soul? These are just some of the thoughts one will contemplate while experiencing this 2002
Nuthouse Pinot Noir! Aromas of dark, wild berries and spices of licorice and cedar are locked deep
into the earthy mineral core of this wine. Only time and patience will unleash the concentation of this
wine. The mouth feel of this wine is massive and ‘super-juicy' centered. Layer upon layer of silky
comforter-like texture cushion the firm gripping tannins. This wine is so viscous that the finish seems
to sail on and on in one's taste bud memory.
VINTAGE NOTES
The 2002 vintage was one of those nerve crunching, hang in at the plate until you work up to a full
count, then smack a sweet fast ball right out of the park! Translation: An unsettling growing season
with a smashing finish. A warm but unsettled Spring wrought large clusters but with the diversity of
berry size we like to see--what we call "peas and pumpkins." In late September and early October we
had a couple of rain scares dropping up to a ½ inch of rain each event. On October 5th the prediction
was two inches rain in a week's time! On October 6 the rain was dropped from the forecast and the
longest Indian Summer on record ensued. We were able to pick fruit at its peak of ripeness under
sunny skies and with limited chaos on the crush pad.
As always, our grapes were harvested into small baskets. After gently transporting them to the winery, they were first chilled to 35F before de-stemming and gently crushing into small open-top fermentation vats. Prior to alcoholic fermentation they underwent a 4 - 5 day cold maceration. After fermentation they received a second short maceration before being pressed. The wine was then aged for 14 months in small French oak barrels before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Professional Ratings
Founded in 1987 as Oregon's original sparkling wine house, Argyle quickly stood out as a study in contrasts—honoring the deep traditions of wine and embracing innovation and experimentation; proud to be Oregonian and pulling knowledge from winemakers around the world. When common knowledge said a winery could produce great sparkling wine or great still wine Argyle asked "why not both?", answering the question with acclaimed wines from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Riesling.
Their four estate vineyards make up nearly 500 acres in the Willamette Valley, with the majority in the Eola-Amity Hills and Dundee Hills nested AVAs. Willamette Valley's cool, late ripening climate produces age worthy base wines. The vineyards, nearing 1000' in elevation, ensure fruit develops slowly, retains acidity, and promotes flavor ripeness before sugar ripeness.
Nate Klostermann is the second winemaker in Argyle's 35-year history and has emerged as one of Oregon's most gifted winemakers. He currently celebrates nearly two decades at Argyle and continues to say he "landed in a good spot" when he arrived at Argyle to work his first harvest. With his fine-tuned winemaking skills and passion for Oregon wine, Nate is now recognized for making elegant and complex sparkling wines along with vibrant and impeccably balanced Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Meunier.
Built on the foundation of "Grower first", Argyle's viticulture team is taking sustainable farming a step further with regenerative farming. Practices such as utilizing custom cover crop and biochar enhanced compost made in house provide natural nutrient additions. Minimal tilling encourages growth of microbes in the soil, water retention and reduces erosion. Blue bird and kestrel habitats are scattered around various vineyards for pest control. Local sheep are brought into the vineyards to manage grass and weeds, and while they aren't a requirement for winemaking, the team has developed bee sanctuaries. These sanctuaries are parcels of fallow land, now dedicated to growing flowers pollinators and beneficial insects.
Their commitment to and partnerships with community organizations, sustainability, Oregon's winegrowing industry, and their employees and families are foundational to Argyle's approach. Argyle makes contributions to non-profit organizations committed to improving the lives of vineyard workers and non-profit organizations that support the arts. These organizations include AHIVOY, ¡Salud!, The Roots Fund, PDX Jazz, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland Center Stage, and Portland Opera.
Argyle is the only winery to land on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list for Sparkling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Home of some of the planet’s most amazingly elegant and expressive Pinot noir, the Willamette Valley is a pastoral, mixed landscape of green, bucolic rolling hills, dramatic forestlands and small, independent, friendly wine growers. As a leader in environmental stewardship, the valley has some of the nation’s most protective land use policies, with two-thirds of its vineyards farmed sustainably and over half, organically. While the valley claims a cool, continental climate, and is heavily influenced by the cold, moist winds of the Pacific Ocean, its warm and dry summers allow for the steady, even ripening of Pinot noir.
The potential of Willamette Valley Pinot noir continues to attract the investment of serious growers and winemakers both locally and from abroad, as naturally the finished wines bring accolades from professionals and enthusiasts. With a range of styles from delicate dried cherry, raspberry and hibiscus to stronger notes of truffle, mocha, plum and spice, a fine Willamette Valley Pinot noir is a perfect expression of both character and grace.