2009 Nicholas Vineyard Pinot noir
The Nicholas Estate Vineyard was first planted in 2001 by Nick
and Sheila Nicholas,who make their own wines under the Anam Cara
label. Before the property was planted, it was a walnut,
filbert (hazelnut) and plum orchard. Many of the old fruit
trees from the original farmstead still grace the property and
produce apples,
cherries, quinces and pears.
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. The grapes for this wine
were harvested on September 24 and 28. Production of this
Nicholas Vineyard Pinot noir followed Adelsheim
Vineyard's traditional winemaking approach: gentle destemming,
cold soak for greater flavor
and color extraction, and fermentation in
temperature-controlled, open-top fermenters. The wine
underwent secondary, malolactic fermentation in
small, medium-toast French oak barrels (29% new) and was aged
for 10 months.
The wine was bottled on August 12, 2010.
Appellation: Chehalem Mountains Alcohol: 14.2%
Elevation: 350-650 feet pH: 3.48
Soils: Loess or Laurelwood series (wind-blown ice age
sediment)
Production: 99 cases Composition: 100% clone 667
THE PLACE
The 33-acre Nicholas Vineyard sits on a south-easterly
slope of the Chehalem Mountains in the Laurelwood
sector on wind-blown ice age silt soils covering basalt.
THE WINE
This single vineyard wine combines red plum, raspberry
and roasted hazelnut aromas with plush tannins and
intense dark red cherry fruit on the palate.
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
