2021 Estate Pinot Noir

THE STORY

Aubaine, pronounced Ō-Baine, is a high end boutique project of Single Vineyard and Estate only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Aubaine is the French term for Windfall which is one of the estate vineyards that will be used in future vintages. Our founder Andy Lytle has teamed up with esteemed winemaker Isabelle Meunier to make the best possible expression of the Eola-Amity Hills. The green wave on the label represents the Eola-Amity Hills, and the blue wave represents the winds of the Van Duzer Corridor.  Our 2021 vintage is our single vineyard estate expression from the Anahata vineyard.

VINTAGE

The 2021 growing season throughout the Willamette Valley was considered an outstanding vintage. Both in terms of balanced yields and quality of fruit. Spring started a earlier than the long-term average and the season continued to track early throughout. Bloom occurred the very first week of June, under amazing weather thanks to a small heat wave. The season progressed with an unusual heat dome at the end of June, which thankfully did not affect the vineyards at that stage. The second half of the season through July and August was warmer than average, with dry conditions until a couple of welcomed isolated rain events in early September. That slowed ripening and helped build complex flavors. At last, we picked from September 14th to 22nd in beautiful weather conditions. We harvested exceptional grapes that created beautifully balanced flavors and silky textures in the wines.

TASTING NOTES

Beautiful ruby red in color with a youthful purplish edge. The nose opens with classic aromas of mixed berries, slight brambly character reminiscent of a fresh mixed berry cobbler. Blueberries and black cherries compete together with hints of nutmeg, rose petals, lavender, and fresh earthy notes. Smooth and refined on the palate with a soft velvety texture. Beautifully sustained as the mixed berries core remains throughout, those silky tannins travel through your mid-palate and tightens through the finish where the mixed berries and stony mineral notes remain. This wine feels complete and wonderful, yet already showing that it will continue to evolve with grace. We love the classic Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir characteristics of this wine all around: an iron fist in a velvet glove.

2021 WINEMAKING FACTS

Vineyard Areas: Blk 3 - Pommard, Blk 1 & Blk 8 - 667 clone and Blk 2 - 777 clone
Picking date: September 17th and 22nd, 2021
Harvest Data: 22.6 brix, pH 3.35, TA 5.9 g/l
Cold Soaked: 6 days
Fermentation: Spontaneous native fermentation, gentle punch downs and pump overs twice per day
Pressed on October 2nd, October 4th, and October 6th
Barreled on October 12th, October 15th and October 20th with 30% new French Oak
Malolactic fermentation: Indigenous and 100% complete by February 2nd, 2022
Bottling date: February 8th, 2023
Cases produced: 670 cases
Aging Potential: Well over 10 years