Winter's Hill Pinot noir Dundee Hills 08

Pinot noir from Estate fruit. Toasty coconut and black raspberry in the nose, flavors of intense black raspberry, black cherry, and toasty vanilla coconut. Best to decant this wine for an hour or so -- it becomes nicely rounded with good acidity and a fresh flavor.

Winter's Hill has 21 acres of Pinot Noir planted at 1089 vines to the acre. The 12 acres planted with own rooted vines in 1990 are trained to a Scott Henry divided canopy. Nine acres were planted between 1997 and 2000 on phylloxera resistant rootstocks, 44-53,5C, 3309 and riparia, which are less vigorous and so are trained to a double cane trellising system.

The vineyard is all on Jory soil, the most sought after soil type for the growing of premium grapes. Jory is a silty clay loam desirable for balancing good water retention properties and excellent drainage. Pommard Dijon 114 and 115, and Wadensvil are the clones which are planted. The combination of clones serves to enrich the flavor profile of the wine.