La Crema Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2019
La Crema Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Vintage: 2019
Bottle size: 75cl
Grape: Pinot Noir
ABV: 14%
Savory notes of violets are complemented by initial notes of raspberry, cranberry, and orange zest, which give way to supple tannins that provide the wine with a touch of cedar, adding complexity and length.
The fruit is sourced from nine vineyards and six sub-appellations of the Willamette valley. Estate vineyards to feature in the blend are Jory Hills Vineyard nestled in the Dundee Hills AVA, Gran Moraine Vineyard, Gran Moraine Winery Estate, and WillaKenzie Estate all in the Yamhill Carlton AVA- sprawling vineyards planted on marine sedimentary (Willakenzie) soils. Also featured, Zena Crown- further south in Eola Amity AVA and Maple Grove — further south still both are planted on well drained volcanic soils (Jory and Nekia). Clones included in the blend are 114, 115, 667, 777, 828 and Pommard.
When La Crema was founded in 1979, the Russian River Valley had yet to establish itself as one of California’s most important regions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The first few vintages at La Crema were devoted to learning the intricacies of cold-climate viticulture and winemaking. In 1993, Jess Jackson bought La Crema. With the help of winemaker Dan Goldfield, he elevated the quality of the wines and enhanced the winery’s reputation as a top producer of Burgundian varieties in California. The unifying factors with all of these sites are their cool, windy climates and marine-based soils.