2017 Alloro Vineyard Pinot Noir

Vintage 2017 

2017 was a very wet winter with weekly snowfalls that paralyzed the area, giving us 40” in the first 4 months (20” average). Early May the heat was turned on to the low 80s, reaching the 90’s by the end of the month. By late June we were in the 100’s. The summer fires in the Columbia River Gorge and Southern Washington filled the Northern Willamette Valley with thick smoke for weeks at a time; we were lucky to avoid smoke-tainted grapes. Yield was on the high side (5+ tons per acre), forcing the growers to send the crews in the vineyards to drop fruit. 

Winemaker's notes. Tasted in 2019

Located in the Laurel Ridge section of the Chehalem Mountains AVA, this vineyard was planted in 1999 on a southwest-facing slope in Laurelwood and Jory soils. Jacques has aged the wine for 18 months in over 19% new French oak, culminating in this beautiful expression of Pinot noir. Forward aromas of black cherry and blackberry are set off by a touch of rose petals. The intense flavors mirror the aromas with a bright acidity and sweet tannins that linger into the lengthy finish.
This wine is lovely now, but will benefit from 6-8 years of cellaring.

90 Pts Wine Advocate