Chehalem Ridgecrest 2015 Pinot Noir

This Ridgecrest Pinot is heavy with fruit, in the marionberry to brambly, black currant realm. With umami salinity on the nose, it shows dark flecks of tobacco, rich wood and forest floor. The palate has great balance of fruit and texture, length and restraint, velour-like tannins and reasonable acidity. It finishes with dark toffee and warm cranberry sauce. An amazingly elegant wine from one of our earliest vintages ever.

 Ridgecrest is a 55-acre vineyard on a 176-acre property. Beginning in 1980, this site pioneered grapegrowing on Ribbon Ridge, a small ridge on the western end of the Chehalem Range. Soils are Willakenzie, a transition soil series exhibiting characteristics of both volcanic and sedimentary underlying structures, marine sediment being predominant. Supple black cherry and blackberry fruits are characteristic of Ridgecrest Vineyards and the Willakenzie soil series. Excellent acidity and a finesseful texture and finish are hallmarks of the vineyard site, being relatively high in elevation, mature in vine age, and deeply rooted. Very ageable wines.