Foris 'Estate Grown' Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley, Oregon

According to the producer: The 2021 vintage was a challenging Oregon vintage in the southwestern part of Rogue Valley, that had average bud break dates and average crop load initially. Cool early spring weather and an unusual frost in the first week of June moderated crop levels in low lying areas and delayed maturity in vines that were in the middle of bloom. By midsummer the weather had shifted to the opposite range of the heat spectrum and shoots grew rapidly with the high temperatures. Sporadic rain in early fall and an early frost in the first week of October finished the harvest window, but the warm window led to moderate acidity levels and ripeness.

Our 2021 Pinot Noir is 100% estate, from our Cedar Ranch and Maple Ranch vineyards. The fruit was hand-harvested, de-stemmed, and fermented whole berry in small open-top fermentation bins. The three-quarter ton bins are gently punched down for the duration of the 10 to 14 day fermentation. Once primary fermentation is complete, the wine is racked to French oak barrels (15% once filled) for 10 months of barrel aging.

Ruby red in the glass, our 2021 Pinot Noir has aromas of black plum, black cherry with notes of cedar. Medium bodied on the palate, it offers a mixture of black cherry compote, black currant, mocha, vanilla, white pepper, salted caramel, and lingering flavors of fresh cherry, oak and baking chocolate.