By focusing solely on Pinot Noir from the most prestigious vineyard sites in California and Oregon, and by vinifying each barrel separately by lot, clone, yeast and cooper, we champion individuality of place and intensity of flavor in each wine we produce.
Production & Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.1%
pH: 3.97
Total Acid: 0.45
Cooperage:
100% French
Cases: 261
Winemakers' Comments
We have a long track record with the Muirfield Vineyard in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The Muirfield Vineyard was our first Oregon Pinot vineyard back in 1995. Bob Grimes, the vineyard manager, was actually in our wedding. Having such a long-standing relationship has several advantages foremost amongst them being that we have been able to see the fruit over a variety of vintages and have learned how to best take advantage of what Mother Nature give us.
The 2004 vintage in Oregon is best described as “typical.” After an extremely hot 2003 vintage, 2004 was cooler without any pronounced heat spikes. This allowed us to harvest at a somewhat leisurely pace when the flavors truly tasted best. We picked the grapes between October 1 and October 6th at sugars from 23.6 to 25.2 brix. Yields were tiny averaging just under 1.4 tons per acre.
We always try to be particularly stingy with how many barrels we use on our Oregon single- vineyard wines. This assures that their quality is always the highest possible. In the case of the 2004 Muirfield Pinot Noir only 32% of the barrels made the cut for the single vineyard wine. The resulting wine is one of our most elegant and well balanced offerings. Refined blue and blackberry flavors fill the mouth on entry along with a spicy, slightly herbal character on the finish. The wine glides along the palate and finishes with smooth, but subtle tannins.
- Adam & Dianna Lee
Accolades for the 2004 Muirfield Vineyard Pinot Noir
93 Points - Medium-deep ruby color; deep, earthy, herbal, black cherry aromas; deep, rich and ripe, with black cherry and herbal flavors, moderate tannin and toasty oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Big and earthy style of Pinot; one of the best Pinots I can remember from the Muirfield Vineyard.
91 Points
Smooth and round, a generous mouthful of plum and cherry fruit shaded with welcome hints of smoke and dark chocolate as the finish lingers against fine tannins. Drink now through 2014. 261 cases made. - H.S.
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