2009 "JERUSALEM HILL VINEYARD" PINOT NOIR |
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TASTING NOTES
Ripe and powerful aromas of black cherry, crushed violet, wild plum, dried cranberry, earth, cigar box and toast. The intense palate offers black raspberry, cherry, boysenberry, cola, anise, allspice, clove and vanilla, with firm tannins, balanced acidity and a long finish.
VINEYARD
Jerusalem Hill is one of Domaine Serene’s Estate Vineyards and is located on the northern end of the Eola Hills. This 55 acre vineyard is planted to Pommard, Wadenswil, 777, 115, and 828 clones of Pinot Noir. Elevations range from 200 - 300 feet and the soils are of the sedimentary Woodburn series. The 2008 is a blend of Wadensvil (43%), Pommard (31%) and Dijon 777 (26%).
CROP YIELD & AGING
2.96 tons/acre. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels of which 50% were new.
VINTAGE NOTES
The 2009 growing season got off to an earlier start than the preceding vintage and delivered warm mid-summer temperatures and plenty of sunshine at just the right time. By late August and early September, temperatures moderated and led to a more protracted ripening period that optimized flavor development. Harvest at the Estate subsequently commenced during the last week of September and carried on through mid-October. The resulting wines from the 2009 vintage are delicious, richly textured, and loaded with sumptuous fruit flavors. |
THE JERUSALEM HILL STORY
In 1998, the Evenstad Estate vineyards, in the Dundee Hills, received heavy rains at bloom and fruit set, reducing crop yields to as low as .6 tons per acre. At Domaine Serene, we strive for low yields, and average 1.7 tons per acre, but .6 was difficult for us and for the national market that wanted more of our wine. We decided to purchase a property in the Eola Hills, which is only thirteen miles south of the winery, but has different weather patterns. When we purchased our Jerusalem Hill Estate it was a 90 acre Garden of Eden producing pears, peaches, plums, apples, sour & bing cherries, figs, blueberries, hazelnuts and walnuts. The covered wagon pioneers of the 1840's named Jerusalem Hill. The original deed was dated 1857. It was later signed by Ulysses S. Grant.
Jerusalem Hill Vineyard is sustainably farmed without irrigation. As with our other two vineyard estates, almost half of the acreage is not farmed to provide a diverse and healthy environment. There are cattle and goats grazing, a small forest of Douglas fir trees and a pond. Several laying hens provide us with eggs for our harvest meals. For our own and our neighbor's use, we've kept some of the cherry, pear, apple, and nut trees. (The goats ate all of the blueberry plants!) |
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