ELK COVE 2021 PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE VALLEY
Throughout Oregon's Willamette Valley, 2021 is considered an outstanding vintage. It was a year free of smoke in the northern Willamette (where the better Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are grown), and is shaping up to be the best in recent memory. It is stylistically similar to 2017 and 2019, but with that added lift, and freshness. Even Erin Brooks, respected critic for The Wine Advocate, recent wrote that "Early releases from the 2021 vintage are highly promising", and "their inherent power suggest the wines will be worthy of moderate to extended cellaring."
In the winter of 1974, a herd of 40 Roosevelt elk bedded down in the clearing by the Campbell family's trailer. Their presence, along with the protective bowl shape of the property, inspired Pat and Joe Campbell to name their property Elk Cove Vineyards. They are true stewards of the land and farm with respect, which in turn helps winemaker Adam Campbell to produce fantastic wines. Their vineyards are certified Salmon Safe, utilize cover crops instead of synthetic fertilizers, and they dry farm.
All of Elk Cove's Pinot Noir fruit undergoes the same meticulous vineyard management and gentle handling through a gravity flow system, thus achieving the elegance, texture and luscious quality that are the hallmarks of exquisite Pinot Noirs. Their Willamette Valley blend is comprised of fruit from all six of their vineyard sites, comprised of Pommard and Dijon plant material that shows the softest, most approachable drinking style Elk Cove makes. Some of these vines are 45 years of age, which equated to low-yielding, but highly-complex wines. Each vineyard block is fermented separately in small, temperature controlled steel tanks, hand punched down twice daily, and barreled in French oak barrels for 10 months.
The finished wine displays bright cherry and raspberry aromas complemented by notes of cinnamon and delicate violet, while the palate strikes a balance between juicy plum, boysenberry and complex, earthy cola and leather, finishing with chalky tannins and hints of crème brulée. This is a wonderful introduction to the stellar quality of the 2021 Pinot Noirs from the region!
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "The 2021 Pinot Noir, made with about 15% whole clusters, has a medium ruby-purple color and pure scents of cranberries, baked rhubarb and allspice with wafts of forest floor, charcuterie and orange zest. The palate is light on its feet with generous, floral fruit, refreshing acidity and a soft, approachable frame, and it has a satisfying, spicy finish."
PIKE ROAD PIONOT NOIR
Pike Road Pinot Noir is made from 100% Willamette Valley fruit. Primarily sourced from six estate vineyard sites, Pike Road also include smaller lots of Pinot Noir fruit grown by trusted partners here in the Willamette Valley. By integrating fruit from multiple locations, Pike Road gains in complexity. The wine is barrel aged in 100% French oak barrels for 8 months.
The 2021 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir showcases a beautiful ruby red color with aromas of black currant layered with cinnamon, clove spice, and rose petal. The palate has bold flavors of cherry, raspberry, rhubarb, with hints of bitter dark chocolate, and mushroom. Finishes warm, silky, and long!
Throughout Oregon's Willamette Valley, 2021 is considered an outstanding vintage. It was a year free of smoke in the northern Willamette (where the better Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are grown), and is shaping up to be the best in recent memory. It is stylistically similar to 2017 and 2019, but with that added lift, and freshness. Even Erin Brooks, respected critic for The Wine Advocate, recent wrote that "Early releases from the 2021 vintage are highly promising", and "their inherent power suggest the wines will be worthy of moderate to extended cellaring."
In the winter of 1974, a herd of 40 Roosevelt elk bedded down in the clearing by the Campbell family's trailer. Their presence, along with the protective bowl shape of the property, inspired Pat and Joe Campbell to name their property Elk Cove Vineyards. They are true stewards of the land and farm with respect, which in turn helps winemaker Adam Campbell to produce fantastic wines. Their vineyards are certified Salmon Safe, utilize cover crops instead of synthetic fertilizers, and they dry farm.
All of Elk Cove's Pinot Noir fruit undergoes the same meticulous vineyard management and gentle handling through a gravity flow system, thus achieving the elegance, texture and luscious quality that are the hallmarks of exquisite Pinot Noirs. Their Willamette Valley blend is comprised of fruit from all six of their vineyard sites, comprised of Pommard and Dijon plant material that shows the softest, most approachable drinking style Elk Cove makes. Some of these vines are 45 years of age, which equated to low-yielding, but highly-complex wines. Each vineyard block is fermented separately in small, temperature controlled steel tanks, hand punched down twice daily, and barreled in French oak barrels for 10 months.
The finished wine displays bright cherry and raspberry aromas complemented by notes of cinnamon and delicate violet, while the palate strikes a balance between juicy plum, boysenberry and complex, earthy cola and leather, finishing with chalky tannins and hints of crème brulée. This is a wonderful introduction to the stellar quality of the 2021 Pinot Noirs from the region!
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "The 2021 Pinot Noir, made with about 15% whole clusters, has a medium ruby-purple color and pure scents of cranberries, baked rhubarb and allspice with wafts of forest floor, charcuterie and orange zest. The palate is light on its feet with generous, floral fruit, refreshing acidity and a soft, approachable frame, and it has a satisfying, spicy finish."
PIKE ROAD PIONOT NOIR
Pike Road Pinot Noir is made from 100% Willamette Valley fruit. Primarily sourced from six estate vineyard sites, Pike Road also include smaller lots of Pinot Noir fruit grown by trusted partners here in the Willamette Valley. By integrating fruit from multiple locations, Pike Road gains in complexity. The wine is barrel aged in 100% French oak barrels for 8 months.
The 2021 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir showcases a beautiful ruby red color with aromas of black currant layered with cinnamon, clove spice, and rose petal. The palate has bold flavors of cherry, raspberry, rhubarb, with hints of bitter dark chocolate, and mushroom. Finishes warm, silky, and long!
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