Description
Grand Moraine are a specialist in Pinot & Chardonnay in Oregon, USA. Nestled in the eastern foothills of Oregon’s Coastal Range, on the wild western edge of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the range’s peaks to the west and south buffer maritime winds and rain from the Pacific Ocean, creating a more temperate growing season distinct from neighboring vineyard sites. Planted in 2005-2006 to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Dijon clones, the 194-acre vineyard perches in thin marine sedimentary soils, and diversity of block exposures and elevation offer a diverse palette for our farming and winemaking team.
About this wine by the winemaker: “The 2018 Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir was crafted from fruit grown on our Gran Moraine Vineyard, which was planted in 2005 and is one of the more westerly vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton. A small amount of additional fruit was sourced from our Winery Estate vineyard, which was planted in 2007 and is just six miles northeast of the town of Carlton. Both sites are located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and contain some of the oldest marine sedimentary based soils in the greater Willamette Valley.
“The Yamhill-Carlton AVA climate combined with the sedimentary-based soils of our vineyards produce wines with nuanced fruit and earth characters, driven by ageable tannins that are structured yet elegant. The fruit is picked at a point thought to best express the profoundness of both the site and the vintage. At the winery, the fruit is held overnight in our forced air cold room to chill at 42 degrees F before being carefully hand-sorted and gravity fed into open top tanks. Approximately, 20% of the fruit is left intact for whole cluster fermentation. The remaining fruit is meticulously destemmed being sure to leave as many whole berries as possible. Depending on the block, and clone, the fruit is left for a cold maceration period of five to ten days. During fermentation, which usually lasts between two to four weeks, we use manual punch downs as our primary method of cap management. At the end of alcoholic fermentation, the ‘free run’ is then separated from the press fraction and then racked to 228L barriques—about 43% new French oak, and slowly undergoes natural malolactic fermentation. 2018 vintage – Despite the uncharacteristically warm growing season, phenological ripeness, brix and acidity all came into balance to create a very memorable harvest with elegant fruit and vibrant acidity.
“The 2018 Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir exudes aromas of Choke cherry, sassafras, lavender, milk chocolate, and peppermint. The palate is wound like a spring with red to blue fruit notes on the mid palate, bursting with flavors of pomegranate, shitake mushrooms, black pepper, molasses, and leather. Cleansing acidity and vibrant tannins on the finish.”
93 points, James Suckling “A soft yet fresh pinot that has ripe-strawberry aromas and flavors with medium body and a juicy finish. Yummy, round and delicious.”
93 points, Wine Spectator “Dynamic yet elegant and sleek, with refined cherry, dusky spice and crushed stone accents that take on richness and structure toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2028.”
Our Price $115.99 – LAST BOTTLES
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