By Van Duzer
2017 Pinot Noir Norris-McKinley Vineyard

Wine Details
Vineyard: 100% Norris-McKinley Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge AVA
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Clones: 50% Coury, 25% Dijon 115, 12.5% Dijon 667, 12.5% Wadenswil

The Vineyards
Norris-McKinley Vineyard is a Van Duzer Vineyards Estate property located in the Willamette Valley's Ribbon Ridge AVA. Pinot Noir thrives here at 400 feet elevation in deep, loamy Sitton soils. Optimal temperatures and mild rainfall in the spring of 2017 gave way to a warm, dry summer with a handful of heat spikes. Mild temperatures toward the end of the growing season resulted in phenolically mature fruit and wines with balanced acidity and intense aromatic expression. Grapes were hand-picked at peak maturity between September 26th and October 6th.

Winemaking
The warmth that the Norris-McKinley vineyard receives during the growing season allows for excellent flavor development earlier in the harvest. Picked at peak ripeness, the fruit is cold soaked for close to a week to help extract color before fermentation. All grapes were punched down by hand to extract the ideal level of tannins before pressing. The wine is allowed 14 months in 43% new French oak before bottling.

Tasting Notes
Red raspberry and bright fruit are complemented by caramel flavors from oak barrels. Earthy tones that are reminiscent of dustiness add complexity to the bouquet. This Pinot Noir presents a medium body quickly balanced by tangy acidity, followed by a more pronounced and lasting tannic profile.

Technical Analysis
Alcohol: 13.30%
TA: 5.8 g.L-1
pH: 3.63
[Information provided by Matador Vino]