Willamette Valley | Dundee Hills
2018 Knudsen Vineyards Backstory Pinot noir
Our past, always present.
Situated high on our Dundee Hills estate, rising to nearly 900 feet at their top-most elevations. Nestled side by side, they share a common border and something quite uncommon—50 years of family ownership and a history of progressive oregon viticulture. Our maiden Talking Blocks release pays tribute to the Knudsen Vineyards backstory with this silky, elegant Pinot Noir born of Pommard and 777 French Dijon Clones. Blended in equal parts from the 2018 vintage, its a story only these blocks could tell.
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TALKING BLOCKS SERIES
Only available from Knudsen Vineyards
Estate Grown
LIVE Certified
Salmon Safe
A stunning look at what mature vines can do; this wine may take some time for the aromas to shine, but for those who are patient, a delicious reward awaits! Layers begin to reveal themselves as this wine opens up to flavors of savory earth, baking spice and stewed berry compote. The palate is rich with smooth tannins and a velvety texture that encourages underlying hints of cranberry, rose petal and leather. This wine has an old-vine character and will continue to age well into the future. Enjoy now after double decanting or continue to savor for years to come.
“Enjoy its satisfying evolution in the glass” – Page Knudsen Cowles
Appellation Willamette Valley | Dundee Hills
Alcohol 13.7%
Soil Jory
Brix 23.4°
Oak French, 30% new, 17 mos.
pH 3.56
Ta 5.5 g/L
Cases 100
Winemaker Nate Klostermann
Bottled 07/2019
Released 09/2020*
Knudsen Vineyard Block 7
Knudsen Vineyard Block 6
Block 6 | 50%
Rootstock | 101
Clone | 777
Planted | Fall 2007
Elevation | 810-850 ft
Exposure | SE
Spacing | 5×5 ft
Block 7 | 50%
Rootstock | Riparia
Clone | Pommard
Plated | Fall 2007
Elevation | 815-870 ft
Exposure | SE
Spacing | 5×5 ft
The 2018 growing season was nearly ideal. The spring was relatively mild, the summer was hot and dry and then it cooled a bit the second half of August and into September. Harvest commenced in early September and lasted through the end of the month, a relatively long harvest season. The yield was lower than last year while quality was consistently high. Also, because of the cooler late growing season, the grapes had considerable hangtime to achieve optimal physiological ripeness before picking.