Youngberg Hill Natasha's Block Pinot noir 04
Youngberg Hill's Natasha's Block Pinot noir 04 received 91 points from Wine Spectator, who said: "“ Crisp in texture, with black pepper prominent in the aroma and flavor range, finishing with attractive blueberry and plum notes against fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2012." - Harvey Steiman - Laurent Montalieu is the winemaker.
The 2004 Natasha Block has a crisp texture with light cinnamon and spice undertones. It has attractive blueberry, raspberry and plum notes with a hint of cherry pie. The flavors are deep and flow from beginning to end with a finish of fresh juniper berry. The tannins are fine grained, yet still a little tight. It was aged for twelve months in neutral French oak barrels to let the fruits qualities shine.Best paired with salmon, white meats and cheeses, the Natasha Block is well balanced and will drink best from 2008 through 2016.
Youngberg Hill is primarily a Bed and Breakfast outside McMinnville, Oregon. A small vineyard was planted there in the 1989 to 60% Pommard and 40% Wadensville clones by the original owners, and Pinot noir is made from it in some vintages. The 2004 Natasha's Block is one of the last 2004 Pinot noirs to be released in Oregon.
MORE INFORMATION
Youngberg Hill's vineyard is divided into several blocks. The Natasha Block is in thin Willakenzie soil on top of basalt, south facing at an elevation of 650 feet. Backed up against the Coast Foothills, the vineyard is only 25 miles from the Pacific; providing cooler temperatures, more sunny days, and more rain. That terroir combined with 60% Pommard and 40% Wadenswil own-root clones, provides fruit intense in black fruit flavors, minerals and spices, and higher acidity.
The 2004 Natasha Block has a crisp texture with light cinnamon and spice undertones. It has attractive blueberry, raspberry and plum notes with a hint of cherry pie. The flavors are deep and flow from beginning to end with a finish of fresh juniper berry. The tannins are fine grained, yet still a little tight. It was aged for twelve months in neutral French oak barrels to let the fruits qualities shine. Best paired with salmon, white meats and cheeses, the Natasha Block is well balanced and will drink best from 2008 through 2016. - the winery
Youngberg Hill's vineyard is 12 acres of Pinot Noir planted in 1989 and 5 acres of Pinot Gris. The pinot noir is own-root, 60% Pommard clone and 40% Wadenswil, and the pinot girs is on 3309 root stock of 146 & 152 clones. Natasha Block is the larger of the two at an altitude of approximately 650 feet on Willakenzie soil. The Jordan Block is on a steeper slope at an altitude of approximately 750 feet on predominately Steiwer soil. The Aspen Block is at 600 feet on Steiwer soil. We do not irrigate.
