2004 Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley

As one of the premier producers of sparkling wines in America, Domaine Meriwether continually monitors the development of a wide variety of Pinot Noir clones in the Willamette Valley. This attention to vineyard diversity allows us to select the best Pinot Noir grapes for our still wines. Like most great wine producers, we pay close attention to every aspect of the winemaking process in order to create the best wine possible from any given vintage. Unlike most producers, however, rather than present our wine soon after bottling we return our wines to our “champagne” cellars where they age in bottle next to our Prestige Cuveés for an additional 12 months before release. Our 2004 Pinot Noir is another example of the rewards of patience with this varietal. Done as a reserve, this wine is just now showing the anticipated elegance of a classic Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

BLEND: Approximately 60% Pommard, 30% Wadenswill and 10% Coury clones.

FERMENTATION: Open top fermenters

AGING: 9 months in 30% New French oak, 70% in one and two year old barrels - followed by 6 months in neutral oak. Additional aging in bottle for 12 months.

Winemaker’s Notes: “A measurable success in a highly regarded vintage. Deeply colored, this Pinot opens with wonderful aromas leading to rich flavors of plum, raspberry and cherry. Soft tannins and balanced acidity give the wine a nice structure. A refined Pinot with a bold finish.”

Serving Suggestions: A very flexible wine, this pinot Noir will pair well with a diverse list of entrees like lamb, veal, chicken and salmon … A terrific choice for roasted or grilled foods.