2006 Pinot Noir Reserve

Winemaker: Stephen J. Cary

Reserve is a term used in the Old World to define wines that have had extended barrel aging, just how long depending on the area and wine in question. Naturally, winemakers who operate under these legal requirements usually put their richest and most structured wines under the Reserve designation. Here in the US there is no legal definition of the term so the winemaker is allowed to declare any wine he or she wants “Reserve”.

At Yamhill Valley we use the term Reserve to describe a barrel selection from the best of our eleven Estate blocks. Four of the oldest plantings, from 1983 and 1988, always make up the majority of our Reserves. In 2006 a fifth block entered into the mix. These wines are aged 14-20 months in French oak to help mature the robust structure and fruit intensity that comes from our marine sediment, clay-rich terroir.

We started picking the Reserve fruit on October 6th and finished on the 12th. The harvest, which was faster than usual, was accomplished in warm, dry weather. The fruit arrived in excellent condition and showed luscious ripeness right at the destemmer.

After fermentation the wine was barrel aged in French oak for 17 months and bottled in April of 2008. It was released in the summer of 2008 and is already drinking well. It is expected to continue to drink well for 5-8 years.”

Awards: 90 points from Robert Parker

Buy Online