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2008 Pinot Noir
Temperance Hill Vineyard
Release Date: 5/28/10
Retail Price: $32.00
Availability: 656 cs.
Production Notes
Temperance Hill Vineyard is located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA formed by an ancient volcanic uplift ten miles northwest of Salem, Oregon. The Pinot noir grapes come from two blocks in the eastern edge of the vineyard that were planted in 1984 and 1995 on thin weathered basalt at an average elevation of 720'.
The grapes were fermented in a small tank after two days of cold maceration. The wine aged for 16 months in 33% new French oak barrels and was bottled by gravity without fining.
Crop Level: 1.6 tons/acre
Harvest: 10/23/08
Bottled: February 2010
This Pinot noir is especially good with simple food preparations emphasizing pure flavors - salmon, lamb chops, pork tenderloin and filet. When served young, this wine is best if allowed to breathe for 1-2 hours. It is drinkable at release or will benefit from aging up to 8 years.
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Winemaker Notes
Situated at 723' atop the Eola Hills, this is our coolest and latest ripening vineyard. The vineyard is managed by Dai Crisp, one of Oregon's great grapegrowers, and is farmed organically. We have two older blocks: one high on an east facing ridge, the other slightly lower and facing south.
We have a new block at Temperance Hill that came into production in 2007. It lies on a sheltered south facing hill just to the north of Bethel Heights Vineyard's Flat Block. It consists of two different Pinot noir clones planted on phylloxera. resistant rootstock at three times the density of our old plantings. I believe this block will become one of the best at Temperance Hill.
2008 was an exceptional vintage, made exceptional by being quietly ordinary. Bloom was very late in variable weather. The result was smaller clusters with fewer berries. The summer passed quickly with veraison occurring earlier than expected, leaving the false impression that there was more crop hanging in the vineyard than there really was. Final ripening took place in endless cool, sunny days in an atmosphere of calm that I have never experienced, but hope to again. The fruit was picked clean and perfectly ripe. The only downside was the very small crop, our smallest in ten years.
Tasting Notes
This is the only vineyard that was not down in volume in 2008. That is mostly because it never produces much of a yield and probably made up for that in 2008. It is my favorite wine for grilled foods and it is summer and time for the grill. Always a big hit in warm vintages, this cool site really shines when the vintage obtains full ripeness (exactly what 2008 did).
The 2008 Pinot noir Temperance Hill has aromas of ripe, sweet cherries, strawberry preserves, purple flowers, and a hint of smoke. Rich cherry fruit with hints of wild strawberries and earthy spices are backed by fresh acidity. This wine is very full across the palate without being heavy. The way the flavors and textures combine create a sense of purity that is the hallmark of this cool site in the Eola-Amity Hills. It is this purity that makes it such a great match with grilled foods.
When I fire up the barbecue, this is the wine I serve. It matches perfectly with grilled salmon, meats, vegies and potato salad (my favorite summer meal). Ready to drink, the 2008 Pinot noir, Temperance Hill will evolve over 8-10 years.
Mark Vlossak, winemaker
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