Soter Vineyards "Mineral Springs" Pinot noir 06
Soter Vineyards "Mineral Springs" Pinot noir 06 - price reduction for November from $65.
The 06 Mineral Springs received 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:"The 2006 Pinot Noir Mineral Springs has an especially expressive bouquet with floral notes, pain grille, damp earth, black raspberry, and blueberry. On the palate, the wine is layered, bordering on opulent. The savory, ripe, spicy dark fruit flavors persist into a lengthy, velvety textured finish. Give it 2-3 years and drink it from 2011 to 2020. "
This is incredible Pinot. Hands down one of the top 20 Oregon Pinots of the 2006 vintage. Beguiling aromas of red fruit, deep spice, and mineral aromas draw you into the silky and voluptuous body. Layered black raspberry, wild strawberry, and blueberry are accented by a citrus note, providing freshness to the ideally ripe fruit. Grace and power merge in the Mineral Springs 06, creating a stunning Oregon Pinot noir.
From the winery: "As the second offering from the Mineral Springs estate, this wine offers an impressive combination of power and purity. Its ruby-red hue previews a nose of wild strawberry and cranberry while the palate shows bing cherry, red plum, clove and sandalwood with an undercurrent of black fruits reminiscent of marionberry and crushed blackberry. Layer upon layer of depth and complexity are revealed in a velvety texture and lingering finish. The wine tells the story of the vintage as well as the vineyard, delivering a core of varietally correct Pinot Noir fruit characteristics coupled with a unique personality that can only come from Mineral Springs".
Mineral Springs is a 32-acre vineyard, planted in 2002 on an east- west ridge just east of Carlton. The soils, derived from fractured siltstone and sandstone, are ancient marine sediments that drain well and are thus perfectly suited to viticulture. The vineyard sits just under 400 feet and faces south and southwest on a highly uniform and gentle slope. We think this is a perfect spot for Pinot Noir.
In 2006, Mineral Springs was harvested under clear skies during the very last days of September. A warm, dry growing season and meticulous vineyard management contributed to the desired yield of 2.0 tons per acre. Resulting fruit was packed with flavor and lush with ripeness. All of these grapes were farmed without pesticides or residual herbicides and certified as sustainable by Oregon’s L.I.V.E program.
MORE INFORMATION
Previous Vintage tasting notes
2005 Vintage
2005 Vintage: Wine Spectator 92 points
"There's a gentle firmness to the texture, with fine tannins
underlying focused black cherry and ripe currant fruit
that lingers beautifully against leafy notes on the nicely
balanced finish. Has integrity and impressive length. Best
from 2009 through 2013." H.S. Notes of blackberry, black cherries, white pepper, floral notes that recall freesias and roses, and a distinctively exotic personality. We think these wines will tend to be sappy and fruit-driven, with seamless balance. - the winery
Inaugural release of Pinot from the new Estate Vineyard of Soter.
The site of Mineral Springs, located east of the town of Carlton, is a source of great excitement to us. This is the home base of operations for Soter Vineyards; it is the site of our prize vineyard, winery, tasting lodge, and eventually the Soter home. In short, it is the entire domaine.
Planted to 30 acres of Pinot Noir, this beautiful ridgetop just east of the town of Carlton has commanding views of the valley, with mature stands of oak trees and Douglas firs lining the road. Beginning in 2005, the vineyard is producing nicely distinctive fruit.
