About our Reserve Pinot blanc
The Reserve Pinot Blanc is hand picked and gently pressed with the whole clusters intact. While removing the stems would speed up the process by allowing us to fit more fruit into the press, we prefer whole cluster pressing to preserve the aromatic compounds in the wine. After pressing, the Pinot blanc is tranferred into French oak puncheons for fermentation. Puncheons are twice as large as standard oak barriques, and the greater volume helps to maintain the ideal temperature during fermentation. The larger volume also leads to a more delicate and balanced oak flavor in the wine. After fermentation is complete, we maintain cool temperatures in the cellar to preserve the freshness and aromas of the wine.
Tasting Notes
2019 was a cooler, slightly damp vintage resembling the good old days. Rain hasn’t been typical recently, yet rain was the cause of 2019’s flattened heat accumulation from late September on, yielding a harvest that accumulated only 15 degree-days of heat while dropping almost an inch of rain. White wines loved the bright, tense, sea and mineral ripeness of the year. We picked the Pinot Blanc early October, which gave the grapes added time on the vine to gain flavors, complexity and concentration.
This Pinot Blanc is fermented and aged in French oak barrels for a full body style white wine. The nose showcases aromas of pear, melon, vanilla and a slight hint of cardamom. The palate starts off soft and opens up with flavors of apple, pear and melon with hints of vanilla. The finish is long and smooth with mouthwatering acidity, and slight dryness from soft tannins.
2019 Vintage “Tangy and concentrated flavors of pineapple with citrus highlights dominate here. The wine punches down through the palate with precision and power. Fermented and aged in French oak puncheons, it nonetheless keeps the emphasis on good clean fruit.” 91 points. Paul Gregutt. Wine Enthusiast 4/1/2022
2018 Vintage “This barrel-fermented wine features green and yellow apple flavors, edged with citrusy acidity. There’s a hint of skin contact in the tart, sharp and well-defined finish. This should drink nicely over the next half decade.” 90 points, Paul Gregutt. Wine Enthusiast.
2017 Vintage “Thankfully for Pinot Blanc lovers, a few domestic producers have recognized the inherently pleasurable style of the wine and are making small quantities of this intriguing variety. The Winter’s Hill estate sets high in the Dundee Hills, overlooking the Willamette River Valley. In addition to a range of Pinot Noirs, they make a delectable Pinot Blanc. The newly-released 2017 Pinot Blanc Reserve offers up the richness and elegance the variety can provide. It shows ripe peach, pear and tropical fruit tones at the nose with subtle hints of vanilla from deft barrel aging. It is delicious and smooth on the palate with the generous fruit underlain by vanilla and spice hints plus a delectably creamy texture and a refreshing, dry finish. It will be a fine companion for your favorite fresh seafood or a simply roasted chicken.” 90 Wayne Belding Feb 4, 2020
