Willamette Valley Vineyards Bernau Block Pinot Noir 2021 - 750ml
Willamette Valley Vineyards Bernau Block Pinot Noir 2021 - 750ml
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93pts Wine Enthusiast
Balance, restrained alcohol and a silky smooth mouthfeel are just a few of this wine's highlights. It opens with rich aromas of blackberry jam, dark chocolate and fresh-pulled espresso shots. Blackberries dominate on the palate, joined by traces of lemon citrus and balsa. Enjoy with Coltrane and mushroom omelette.
Tasting Notes
Deep garnet in the glass, the wine opens with a nose of bramble fruit, plum, herbs and graphite notes. Showcasing concentration, the palate is packed with flavors of red and black fruit framed by cedar, dark chocolate and cinnamon spice.
The Bernau Block is not just for casual sipping − this wine can stand up to rich gastronomic dishes. Enjoy with grilled Oregon lamb chops, smoked salmon, filet mignon, mushroom risotto, dishes featuring native Oregon truffles and cured or smoked meats.
Winemaking Notes
The stylistic vision is pure Pinot Noir fruit with a soft, juicy mouthfeel, balanced oak and soft, sweet, ripe tannins. The methodology includes attention to detail from vineyard to bottle. Picked at peak ripeness, the fruit was gently destemmed, with approximately 70% of the berries remaining intact for intraberry fermentation, which adds lively fruit-forward characteristics. Prior to fermentation, the must underwent a five-day, pre-fermentation cold soak providing improved complexity, color and mouthfeel. On the fifth day, the must was inoculated with commercial yeast. After 8-12 days of fermentation in small fermenters, punched down by hand, the must was pressed out and allowed to settle in the tank overnight. The new wine was barreled with light, fluffy lees where it underwent complete malolactic fermentation.
Sourced exclusively from 15 acres of Pinot Noir from the first plantings at the Estate Vineyard, Founder Jim Bernau planted these vines using a Christmas tree planter pulled behind his 33 horsepower tractor. He grafted the French clones 667 and 777 on a portion of the vines when they became available.
Vineyard Notes
Planted in 1983 by Founder Jim Bernau on a south-facing volcanic flow, the vineyard has 15 acres of vines at 500 to 750 feet in elevation. The first Dijon clones were planted in 1993. The Nekia and Jory soils are well drained to a depth of one and a half to six feet.