2017 PINOT NOIR
LOT 56
On Its Own Roots
VINEYARD | Winderlea
blocks | 1, 2, 3, 9
clones | Pommard (90%), DIJON 115 (7.5%), 667 (2.5%)
APPELLATION | dundee hills
WINEMAKERS | Robert Brittan AND Bill Sweat
HARVEST DATES | SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 (Block 9, 667); SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 (Blocks 1, 2, 3, Pommard, Dijon 115)
BOTTLING | DECEMBER 13, 2018
ALCOHOL | 12.6%
PRODUCTION | 60 BOTTLES / 5 cases
The Wine
In the 1970s, on Worden Hill Road, Pinot noir was planted on its “own roots,” eschewing the disease-resistant rootstock used by all today. This is true of our estate vineyard, the original Dundee Hills Vineyard planted between 1974 and 1976. Through meticulous farming of our estate vineyard (Demeter Biodynamic® Certified), four acres of those own-rooted Pinot noir vines, planted to the Pommard selection, thrive and are the primary source of our 2017 cuvée.
The wine has a brilliant ruby color. On the nose it shows bright red fruit of cranberries, tart red cherries and blood orange along with notes of dried thyme, bay leaf and lavender. On the palate this is a vibrant, red-driven wine, which nicely balances fresh tart cherries, orange zest, Bergamot tea notes, a wee bit of licorice and dried herbs. A taut and refined wine.
The Winery
Spouses Bill Sweat and Donna Morris moved to Oregon in 2006 and purchased a legendary 20-acre vineyard planted in the 1970s in the Dundee Hills. Originally known as the Dundee Hills Vineyard, today it is Winderlea, a name derived from combining the words “wind” and “lea” meaning field or meadow. Like the founders they followed to Oregon, Bill and Donna are committed to continuing the traditions of responsible stewardship of the land and the highest quality artisan winemaking. In 2015 Winderlea earned its Demeter Biodynamic® Certification for its estate vineyard and became the fourth winery globally to achieve B Corp Certification.
Learn more about Winderlea Vineyard & Winery
Follow: @winderlea