Willamette Valley | Dundee Hills

2017 Knudsen Vineyards Reserve Pinot noir

A regal Pinot, showcasing a brilliant dark ruby red color. Deep, ripe aromas of black cherry, raspberry and red plum skin are framed by warm spices of clove, star anise, cardamom, and a perfumed red blossom character. This wine has a ripeness and density to it that proves its pedigree with a full body and silky, mouth-filling texture. Hold onto it if you can, but it’s already too delicious for its own good—even at this youthful stage. It’s incredibly balanced with a long, satisfying, sink-into-your-armchair finish.

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  • photo of bottle with wine label reading knudsen vineyards pinot noir reserve 2017
  • front label image for knudsen vineyards pinot nor willamette valley dundee hills 2017
  • back label image for knudsen vineyards pinot nor willamette valley dundee hills 2016

FAMILY SERIES

Estate Grown

LIVE Certified

Salmon Safe

ACCOLADES

93 – Vinous
94 – Christy Canterbury, MW
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Tech Sheet

Appellation Dundee Hills
Alcohol 14.2%
Soil Jory
Brix 24
Oak French, 35%, 16 mos.
pH 3.58
TA 5.4
Cases 200

93 POINTS
Vinous
“Limpid ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet displays an array of spice-accented red and blue fruits and pungent flowers, along with suggestions of cola and vanilla. Sweet, energetic and focused on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that deepen through the midpalate. The impressively long, sappy finish features resonating florality, polished tannins and reverberating spiciness.”

94 POINTS
Christy Canterbury, Master of Wine
“Starting with the pretty, pale ruby color, this wine is all finesse and elegance. Its seamless palate starts with a smooth entry of lightly creamy fruit and svelte tannins leading to a mouthwatering back palate that finishes with a light tannin-led dryness on the medium finish. The oak use is nicely integrated and doesn’t show any overt edges. The tangy red currant and red cherry nose leads to a palate of the same fruit profile with a tobacco leaf tone and a light pinch of savory spice. A serious wine with time to spare but delightful to drink now.”

91 POINTS
Wine Enthusiast
“There’s moderate concentration here, with a mix of black cherry fruit, black olive highlights and a thick vein of espresso.”

91 POINTS
James Suckling
“Ripe plums, cherries, herbs, cola and hazelnuts on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with plush tannins and a fleshy, rounded texture. Rich and flavorful with sweet spices on the finish.”

map of knudsen vineyards illustrating the various vineyard blocks by grape varietyBlock 14 | 40%
Rootstock |Riparia
Clone | 4407
Planted | 2012
Elevation | 740-825 ft
Exposure | E
Spacing | 5×5 ft

Block 15 | 40%
Rootstock | Riparia
Clone | 667
Plated | 2001
Elevation | 680-770 ft
Exposure | S
Spacing | 5×5 ft

Block 11 | 10%
Rootstock | 3309
Clone | 777
Plated | 2004
Elevation | 705-810 ft
Exposure | NE
Spacing | 5×5 ft

Block 25 | 10%
Rootstock |3309
Clone | Pommard
Plated | 2008
Elevation | 705-780 ft
Exposure | SE
Spacing | 5×5 ft

A relatively cool and wet spring with a near-normal bud break in mid-April. Late May was characterized by record heat that initiated flowering which produced a very good fruit set with more and larger clusters than previous years.  June saw a cool-down, while the heat ramped up through July moving the fruit rapidly to véraison. August was one of the warmest on record. Early September was warm, which accelerated fruit development but was slowed by a cooling period mid-month, leading to a relatively slow and steady harvest. 2017 ended up with near average to slightly higher than average sugar and acid levels.