Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir 2022, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Located in rural Carlton, Oregon, Ken Wright Cellars is devoted to showcasing the inherent quality of selected vineyard sites. With a clarity and breadth that is unequaled by other varieties, they believe Pinot Noir best expresses the character of these sites. More than any other variety, Pinot Noir has very specific climatic needs. While other varieties can adapt to variable conditions, Pinot Noir can be rather finicky, achieving success in only a handful of places in the world. Nestled between the lower elevation Coast Range to the west, and higher elevation Cascade Range to the east, the Northern Willamette Valley is one of those very special places where Pinot Noir excels. By worldwide standards, it is extremely cool, and yet it enjoys a long growing season. This extended season or ‘hangtime’ provides time for the complete development of flavor, aroma and texture. All of the successful vineyards of this area are planted on hillsides between 200 and 700 feet in elevation, in well-drained soil. The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of Ken Wright’s traditional vineyards. 2022 vintage – A luscious core of red and blue fruits enveloped with hints of cedar, delicate violet, anise, and turned earth. The palate is exceptionally balanced with perfect natural acidity and velvety tannins. 2022 was a miraculous vintage for Ken Wright Cellars. Mother Nature never ceases to amaze us. A record late cold front caused extensive damage to the young buds, threatening whether we would have any fruit to harvest. Our first miracle was record levels of fertility. Our second was the driest and warmest October in memory.