2019 Ridgecrest Old Vine Estate Pinot gris
Ridgecrest Vineyards
Ribbon Ridge
Chehalem Mountains
Willamette Valley
Oregon
13.2% alcohol
Screwcap closure
LIVE-certified vineyard
244 cases produced
Dry farmed grapevines (meaning not irrigated)
While you’ll find a lot of this varietal planted in the Willamette Valley, not many grapevines are much older than those within the 2-acre block at Ridgecrest Vineyards, located in the tiny Ribbon Ridge appellation. Planted in 1985, these Pinot gris vines are considered pretty old by Oregon standards. Older plants have deeper roots, and the wines made from them are generally more complex and, here in Oregon, possess more mineral notes.
To celebrate this vineyard’s 35th harvest, owners Harry Peterson-Nedry and daughter Wynne, decided to bottle a limited amount of Pinot gris, made in a manner that really shows off all this varietal has to offer!
Bouquet:
In the glass, I smelled tart green apples, gooseberries combined with unusual citrusy notes of kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and freshly grated lemon zest.
Palate:
Those tart aromas evolved into crisp green apples and mouth-puckering crab apples, then into less tart flavors of Meyer lemons and watermelon rind. A lemon curd-like texture rolled across my tongue, taking its time getting to a finale that reminded me of key lime pie. This is Pinot gris has a serious backbone! If more winemakers devoted the kind of attention that Harry and Wynne did to this wine, the world would be overflowing with Pinot gris lovers!
Food pairing suggestions:
Spicy Indian and Thai dishes // slow-roasted fish sprinkled with za’atar // pizza with ham, asparagus and ricotta.
SRP $24
Read our tasting notes on other Ridgecrest wines and their second label, RR wines:
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About the Author: Michele Francisco
