Dark saturated black color, nose with hints of wild strawberry, rose and violets, viscous, rich mouthfeel, layers of black fruit, cassis, big dark finish. Yow, this is a really nice Pinot. Big, for people who like big Pinots. Very age-worthy.

Previous Vintage Tasting Notes

Sometimes I just can't get a wine out of my head... not very often, but once in awhile. My first Turley Zinfandel, a great Condrieu, Owen Roe's Dubruls, and now this Pinot noir. It's a fascinating wine, dark and huge, and there's something about it that says that this guy's going to be a star. Highly recommended.- JY

From the winery: "The grapes for our 2002 Bridgette Catherine Pinot Noir come from Durant Vineyard (83%) and Winter's Hill Vineyard (17%). Durant Vineyard is located in the Red Hills between Sokol Blosser Vineyard and Domaine Drouhin Vineyard. We received the grapes for this wine from the Casita block of the vineyard, one of the highest elevation blocks of the vineyard.

Casita contributes incredibly rich flavors of black currants, pears and small ripe Oregon strawberries. These are young vines which show great promise as evidenced by this fine wine. I will take great pleasure in watching this block develop to its full potential. The Durants have been growing wine grapes since the 1970's and are widely recognized as one of the top growers in the state.

Winter's Hill Vineyard is also located in the Red Hills between Stoller Vineyard and Domaine Serene Vineyard. The Pinot Noir for this wine came from old Pommard vines. Winter's Hill is a very carefully managed, low input vineyard. The wine made from these Winter's Hill vines balances the luscious fruit of the Durant with notes of tobacco, licorice and spices.

The wine is full-bodied and smooth with an excellent tannin profile. Try this wine with roast wild turkey, mushroom stuffed lamb chops, roasted young saddle of venison or baked tempeh and rice.

The grapes from both vineyards were carefully picked and then, after being chilled to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, were gently destemmed and allowed to cold macerate for four days. With about 1% sugar remaining in the grapes they were lightly pressed and the wine transferred to French, oak barrels (33% new) to finish fermentation. We allowed this wine to age for 16 months in barrel before bottling. The wine was racked a total of four times to achieve clarity and stability, it is unfined and unfiltered. 154 cases produced.