Carter Vineyard Pinot noir Hillblock 06
Wine Spectator 92 points!
"The 2006 Pinot Noir Hillblock was made by Ken Wright from a vineyard planted in 1983. Wright also makes a Carter Vineyard designate under his own label which I found to be equally uplifting. The Hillblock was aged in 70% new French oak and bottled without fining or filtration. Cherry red in color, it has a superb perfume of pain grille, spice box, red and black cherry and black raspberry. This is followed by a layered, velvety-textured, succulent wine with great depth, concentration and structure for this vintage. It will evolve for 2-3 years and offer prime drinking from 2010 to 2018."
Carter Vineyard Pinot noir 2006 is rich and forward. Lush flavors of black cherries are framed by a silky texture. Earth, spice, and fruit hang on through the finish. The Carter Hillblock will delight from day one. Ken Wright crafts this gem from 25 year old Pommard vines.
The 2006 growing season was hot and intense: the grape plants yielded generously and we had to drop green crop in the field, both to reduce yield and eliminate sunburned berries. The grapes came in on October 5 at 24.2 degrees Brix and 3.38 pH. They were deeply colored, slightly raisined from the hot weather, and with nicely browned seeds indicating ripe tannins. Flavors are rich and very available: black cherries, raspberries, and forest floor suffuse the nose, while cocoa, violets, and cassis inform the palate, and lead into the long finish. This wine will drink well early. For those who appreciate comparison to prior years, the 2006 seems most similar to our 2003, but with more delicacy and nuance. Ken Wright continues to make the wine, and Mark Gould to manage the vineyard. - the winery
The Carter Vineyards Pinot noir Hillblock 03 received 92 points from Wine Spectator: "The second vintage from this longtime supplier to Ken Wright and Domaine Serene is a winner—supple and elegant, rich enough in texture to give the cherry, white pepper, mineral and rose petal aromas and flavors some scope, yet balanced and harmonious through the long, refined finish. Ken Wright made the wine. Drink now through 2012."—H.S.
