Elk Cove Pinot Noir La Boheme 04
Elk Cove's most complex Pinot, the La Boheme 04 is similar to the last 5-6 vintages of this famed wine, according to the winery. The nose is full of dark cherry and raspberry, entwined arounda core of earthy, gamey, venison notes that signal its wild, meaty style. Flavors reiterate the juicy dark cherry and berry theme, with anise, earth, and a rich streak of acifity that holds the wine together and encourages its pairing with food. Tannins are firm, not overwhelming, designed for cellaring, so the winery suggests decanting for a few hours if you drink it in the next few months. It's a young wine, not a fruit bomb, but a complex, food wine with increasing complexity of flavors and scents as it opens in the glass. Just a delight, especially for those occasions when the food is something special. We especially like it with duck and Oregon lamb, and it's flexible enough to pair with wild salmon or beef. A real treat.
MORE INFORMATION
From the winery:
Happily, 2004 has the potential to be an excellent vintage! Though production will be limited because yields were down by 20-50%. Around the state we experienced a phenomenon the French call coulure ~ unsettled weather
during flowering, resulting in poor fruit set. This cold Spring weather naturally lowered crop sizes and then
early Fall rains challenged picking. Yet, low yields do not indicate a loss of quality and extended warmth in late
September produced healthy, balanced, and concentrated fruit. In addition, Elk Cove manages some of the highest
elevation sites in the state, which typically results in an extended harvest. Late September's warmth extended
harvest into late October, and ensured grapes of true maturity, offering the potential for ripeness and complexity without exaggerated alcohol levels. Fans of more elegant Pinot Noir will be pleased.
The La Boh?me Vineyard, planted in 1985, is now a 17-acre high-density site comprised of Pinot Noir grapes
selected from the original Estate Pommard planting. The individual vines were isolated and chosen for their small
clusters and berries with intense flavors, both characteristics of the world's finest Pinot Noirs.
This picturesque vineyard rises to 800', overlooking the winery and original Estate vineyards, making it one of the highest elevations sites in the Willamette Valley. This steep hillside vineyard undergoes extensive pruning and cluster thinning to limit yields and maximize ripening in order to concentrate the fruit.
La Boh?me has been served twice at the White House, on the first occasion with herb-crusted pheasant breast at a state dinner for Helmut Kohl and the second dinner party with loin of lamb. Traditionally this is a seductive wine that would also compliment grilled salmon, veal or beef.
Winemaker Adam Godlee Campbell reports "we have loose clusters and more concentrated flavors. This is a good year for us." 2004 promises to be a long-lived vintage with beautiful wines!
