Having a party? Want to impress the boss? Bring them this magnum size bottle of Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir!

In the Vineyard

A relative newcomer to the Raptor Ridge lineup, this vineyard is fast becoming a cellar favorite. Grapes were sourced from Olenik Vineyard in the southern sloping “landslide” area of Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains. This vineyard block is situated in a rocky bench at low elevation (about 300’) where the vines are able to gather ample heat units to drive ripeness. The block consists of five-year-old Pinot noir/Pommard clone grafted onto 101-14 rootstock planted somewhat densely at 4’ x 7’ spacing. Olenik was harvested October 6 with fruit chemistry of 24.6 Brix, pH 3.74 and TA 5.3.  

At the Winery

Grapes were 100% destemmed and cold soaked for 7 days. Vats were inoculated with commercial yeast RC-212, and fermented for 18 days before pressing and settling in tank. After two days, the wine was racked into 35% new French oak Remond barrels, where the wine rested for 9 months.

At the Table

On the nose, this wine is shy, with soft ripe cranberry, black cherry, sage and a hint of fresh pine. The palate is where this wine steps out of the box: look for ripe plum and black cherries, red soda and strawberry/rhubarb nuances. This wine finishes with pleasing clove, mint, and toasty filbert (aka Hazelnut—another great Oregon crop!). Enjoy this wine now, or see how it evolves over the next 3-5 years.