TASTING NOTES - Tony Rynders, Winemaker
This gorgeous wine is brimming with ripe black cherry, black raspberry, dried blueberry, mocha, sl. bay leaf, allspice, vanilla and pipe tobacco.  The palate is impeccably balanced, showing lovely blackberry, dark cherry, tobacco, violet, sage, dark spices and supple tannins.

VINEYARD
Grace Vineyard is one of the seven vineyards of the Evenstad Estate located atop the Dundee Hills of Oregon. This hillside bench vineyard is situated on an east facing slope, with elevations ranging from 540 to 650 feet. Planted in 1996 to Dijon clones 777 and 667 of Pinot Noir, prized for their intensity, powerful fruit, and early ripening.

CROP YIELD - 1.74 tons/acre.

AGING - Aged 15 months in French oak barrels of which 86% were new. Unfined and unfiltered.

VINTAGE NOTES
After a warm and relatively dry winter, bud break arrived in early March.  Spring weather was cool and relatively wet, thus creating a broad range in bloom from site to site.  The resulting crop loads were relatively small.  Moderate summer temperatures were followed by mild yet dry fall conditions.  Because we dry farm, our one late season rain event sparked the arrival of intense flavors and a great degree of individual site expression.  The wines from 2005 display a wonderful array of red, blue and black fruits and display impeccable balance and incredible length.  One of the best vintages to date.