2009 Adelsheim Boulder Bluff Vineyard Pinot noir
Lynn and Jack Loacker, co-owners of Adelsheim Vineyard,
purchased this 9.91- acre vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains
in 2000. Three Pinot noir clones were used in this bottling.
The first selection came to us in 1974 from Oregon
wine pioneer Charles Coury and was the original material
planted at our Quarter Mile Lane Vineyard. The second was
selected by Gary Andrus and planted in 1995 at Archery
Summit's Red Hills Estate. The third was French clone 777,
brought from Burgundy to Oregon State University in 1987 under
the instigation of David Adelsheim. The 2009 vintage Boulder
Bluff Pinot noir is our third single vineyard wine from this
property.
The 2009 growing season began with three months of above
average temperatures coupled with lower than average rainfall.
Bud break occurred around April 20th, giving the 2009 season a
one week head start compared to 2008. Rainfall
increased throughout the pre-bloom period and temperatures
remained higher, resulting in gorgeous bloom conditions and
bountiful fruit set. Temperatures spiked into triple digits in
July, but cooled to normal levels for August as we eased into
veraison.
Harvest began in mid-September for our lower elevation
vineyards, which we had not seen since the 2006 vintage. Lack
of rain around our picking schedule meant grapes could hang
until they reached optimal ripeness. Our grapes were
harvested on September 17 & 21.After being hand-harvested,
the grapes were gently destemmed into open top
fermenters, followed by a four to six day cold soak for
greater flavor and color extraction. The grapes were then
inoculated with a commercial yeast and punched down two or
three times per day during a 7 day alcoholic fermentation.
After pressing, the wine was transferred into traditional
small French oak barrels (32% new) where it was aged for
approximately 10 months. This wine was bottled on August 12,
2010.
Vineyard & Wine
Appellation: Chehalem Mountains
Elevation: 485 - 625 feet above sea level
Orientation: southwest
Production: 341 cases
Soils: basaltic-origin, clay-loam
Alcohol: 13.8%
pH: 3.46
THE PLACE
Boulder Bluff Vineyard is adjacent to our oldest
vineyard,
Quarter Mile Lane, in the Chehalem Mountains
AVA (American Viticultural Area). The vineyard is
sited between 485 and 625 feet above sea level on a
steep southwest slope. It is a very warm site due to
its orientation and the many basalt boulders on the
property which hold the heat. The soils are
basalticorigin,
clay-loam soils, which store enough moisture
to get the grapevines through our annual summer dry
spells without irrigation.
THE WINE
This, our third single vineyard bottling from Boulder
Bluff Vineyard, displays dark, rich, brambly black
fruit characteristics - black berry, black currant, and
black raspberry - along with notes of caramelized
brown sugar. The wine's firm texture and structural
tannins make this the most age-worthy Boulder Bluff
Vineyard Pinot noir we have made to date. Try it
paired with grilled salmon or meats, domestic and wild
fowl, or hearty vegetarian entrees.
AGING
The 2009 vintage has great structure and tannins, so
the resulting wines can age from 2012 - 2024.
16800 NE Calkins Lane, Newberg, OR 97132
Tel: (503) 538-3652 www.adelsheim.com
