Tag Archives: Pinot Noir

2019 Albatross Ridge Estate Reserve Pinot Noir

2019 ESTATE RESERVE PINOT NOIR

The 2019 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir is a blend of our most structured and distinct barrels chosen by our winemaker from our eight Pinot Noir blocks at our Albatross Ridge estate vineyard. The extended ripening led to great concentration and depth of character for this vintage that delivers great texture and vibrancy.There is a fine balance of ripe and bright red fruit that carries a weighted core of juicy cherry, ripe raspberry and minerality interwoven with aromas of violet, black tea, and fresh cut roses.This wine will show itself very well young with a little air and will age very well over the next 12 plus years.

FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

A roasted rack of lamb is by far our favorite pairing with our 2019 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir. Wild Chanterelle mushrooms and pork chops are also a special treat paired with this wine. A delicately cooked king salmon with risotto also makes an excellent match.

2019 VINTAGE NOTES FROM OUR WINEMAKER

The 2019 vintage began similarly to the 2018 vintage, with budbreak slow to develop by late second week of March. Because of this flowering and bloom were pushed back a few weeks later, as was the previous vintage. The weather during flowering and bloom was warmer compared to 2018 and led to consistent fruit set and berry sizes that were fairly uniform, and larger compared to any vintage in the past. Summer weather was mild and cooler however compared to 2018. The Fall weather continued to be mild and this resulted in the longest veraison to harvest gap we have ever experienced up at our vineyard.

WINEMAKING DETAILS 

Harvest Date: September 19th – October 15th
Clones: 828, Pommard, 115, 777 Ph: 3.65
Yeast: 100% Native yeast
40% New French Oak 12 Months in 
Yield: 1.55 Tons Per Acre 
Brix at Harvest: 21.5-23.7 
Barrel Unfined and Unfiltered
Alcohol: 13% 

2019 Albatross Ridge Cuvée Vivienne Pinot Noir

2019 CUVÉE VIVIENNE PINOT NOIR

Named after our winemaker’s daughter, the 2019 Cuvée Vivienne Pinot Noir is a blend of our four clones from our eight Pinot Noir blocks at our Albatross Ridge estate vineyard. For this vintage we were fortunate to have very long ripening and hang time which contributed to the Cuvée Vivienne’s slightly darker color than past vintages and a dense core of tart cherry, ripe strawberry, and a lingering finish of ripe raspberries alongside earthy and mineral undertones. This Pinot Noir drinks exceptionally well now with a little air and will reward a decade of cellaring.

FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

This wine loves any sort of meat, and elevates a homemade grassfed bacon cheeseburger in our kitchen all the way up to a roasted leg of lamb. We find ourselves pairing this often with duck confit and salad with goat cheese.

2019 VINTAGE NOTES FROM OUR WINEMAKER

The 2019 vintage began similarly to the 2018 vintage, with budbreak slow to develop by late second week of March. Because of this flowering and bloom were pushed back a few weeks later, as was the previous vintage. The weather during flowering and bloom was warmer compared to 2018 and led to consistent fruit set and berry sizes that were fairly uniform, and larger compared to any vintage in the past. Summer weather was mild and cooler however compared to 2018. The Fall weather continued to be mild and this resulted in the longest veraison to harvest gap we have ever experienced up at our vineyard.

WINEMAKING DETAILS 

Harvest Date: September 19th – October 15th
Clones: 828, Pommard, 115, 777 Ph: 3.68  Yield: 1.55 Tons Per Acre 
Brix at Harvest: 21.5-23.7 
Yeast: 100% Native yeast
30% New French Oak 12 Months in Barrel 
Unfined and Unfiltered
Alcohol: 13%