2021 Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard

- Certified Organically Grown
- Fruit source: Justice Vineyard 667 Selection planted 1999
- Harvest date: September 17, 2021
- Grapes at harvest: Brix 23.1, pH 3.09, TA 8.9 gr/liter
- Finished wine: Alcohol 13.0%, pH 3.46, TA 5.9 gr/liter
- Barrel aged 10 months in French oak, 30% new barrels
- 345 cases produced
- Bottled unfined, August 2022

Justice Vineyard (planted 1999) sits adjacent to Bethel Heights Vineyard on the south, in the transition zone between the underlying primeval sea-floor that is exposed to the surface at various places on our hillside, and the layers of volcanic soil that were deposited on top of that floor in varying depths over many millennia. Thus from one section to the next at Justice we have found deep volcanic clay soil, shallow volcanic clay soil, and the totally different sandy soil derived from ancient marine sediments. After twenty years making wine from this vineyard, we are still discovering new surprises.

WINEMAKER NOTES

In recent years the blending table for Justice Vineyard has been a delight; the broad pallet of fruit, structure, and texture that spans the 27 planted acres at Justice gives us so many directions. In 2021 the decision was effectively made at our first seated tasting of the new wines after harvest. The block of 667 at the eastern edge of the vineyard has been a cornerstone of the wine for many years, but it was a revelation in 2021 and made my job very easy. When to drink it? For those who like abundant primary fruit, I would recommend a 2027 – 2030 drinking window. For those who appreciate more age on their Pinot Noir, I think this wine has a 20 to 25-year life ahead of it.

ACCOLADES

98+ Wine Advocate

The 2021 Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard comes from a single block of 667 clone vines and is one of the most impressive Pinot expressions I've encountered from the 2021 vintage in the Willamette Valley so far. Medium ruby-purple, it has intense, singular and pure aromatics: cranberry, rhubarb and blueberry are accented by fine touches of conifer, aniseed, iron and pipe tobacco, and it continues to shift and change as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is powerful, offering highly concentrated, detailed fruit and a support of abundant, powdery tannins. It has seamless, energetic acidity and haunting streaks of spice and earth that fan across the tremendously long finish. It's difficult to put this wine down, although it will reward drinkers patient enough to tuck it away in the cellar.

93 Wine Spectator

Shows finesse and detail, with youthful and multilayered cherry and raspberry flavors highlighted by spiced tea, mineral and fresh tarragon flavors that finish with refined tannins. Drink now through 2032.

MORE DETAILS

PDF Fact Sheet

Technical Information

Alcohol: 13%
Appellation: Eola-Amity
Wine Type: Red
Varietal Pinot Noir