Product Description:
2002 Flagpole Block Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
WINEMAKER'S NOTES
The Flagpole Block vines produce wines with an intense plum, blueberry and blackberry character. The aromas hint at hibiscus flower, spice, bay leaf and wild mushroom adding to the ripe fruit aromas. The flavors in the mouth - blackberry, currant and earth are just a few - are lush and ripe. The finish is long and sweet with velvet fine tannins adding extra freshness. Just over 300 cases produced.
ACCOLADES
91 "Ripe and spicy, a generous mouthful of plum, blueberry and currant flavors shaded with hints of bay leaf and earth, while ultrafine tannins frame the finish. Drink now through 2012."
Harvey Steiman
Wine Spectator
May 31, 2004  "Oregon's Willamette Valley makes tasty, affordable pinot noir and pinot gris. This year, owners Carl and Marilynn Thoma and winemaker Jim Kakacek are releasing three vineyard designate wines. The wines represent the best of the harvest in each specific vineyard. The melodic wines are beautiful collaborations between fruit and forest, with long, gentle tannins. Excellent to sip in the quiet of the evening or alongside lamb, duck or salmon. I love these wines."
Lauren Chapin
Kansas City Star
September 22, 2004
THE VINEYARDS
Introduced in 1999 as Van Duzer's first vineyard-designate wine, the Flagpole Block Pinot Noir is produced from an approximate one and one-third acres of old Wadwenswil clone vines located near the entrance to the property. The steep vineyard takes its name from the flagpole located at the top of the slope. The east-west row orientation combined with the slope allows for full sun exposure the entire day and the grapes from these vines produce exceptionally ripe and rich fruit.
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TECHNICAL DATA:
| Vineyard: | 100% Van Duzer Estate, Flagpole Block | | Vinifera: | 100% Pinot Noir, Wadenswil clone | | Alcohol: | 13.92% | | TA: | 0.59 g/100 ml | | pH: | 3.63 | | RS: | 0.02 |
WINEMAKING
The hand sorted grapes were destemmed and cold-macerated as is Van Duzer's general practice with Pinot Noir. The wine was aged in 60% new French oak barrels and 40% neutral oak barrels. We use tightly-grained barrels from the Vosge and Allier forests in order to subtly enhance the fruit character of the wine. After 9 months in barrels, the wine was blended then returned to barrels for 5 more months of aging in order to integrate and deepen the flavors of the wine.
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