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.

70 | 59.5 Club

  • 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

94 – Christy Canterbury, MW

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

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.