2006 Cowhouse Pinot Noir
Oregon Pinot Noir
Holstein Vineyards
Dundee Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon
2006 Cowhouse Pinot Noir Tasting Notes
Holy Cow! The aroma is a rich yet multi-layered blend of pomegranate and black cherry fruits with a seductive sort of spiciness, (bergamot?). The flavor is classic Dundee Hills sensuality. Passionate layers of rich fruit, spice, and juicy center carries right through from beginning to long, long finish.
2006 Cowhouse Pinot Noir Vintage Notes
The 2006 vintage was a very comfortable vintage with very little drama. Spring brought plenty of sunshine and heat to set an extraordinarily large crop. This is quite a contract to 2004 and 2005 poor fruit set vintages. 2006 had the third highest heat units since 1983. Interestingly, the top 5 heat summations include three years in this new millennium. Has our transition into the 'New Millennium' led to warmer summers? September brought us a bit of a scare with a week of precipitation accumulation of about 0.6 inches and cool temperatures, but the rain backed off and we saw temperatures in the mid 80's F, with a very desiccating east wind. A most glorious "Indian Summer" ensued throughout the Northwest USA. Wineries and vineyards were able to spread their operation into a smooth steady pace without the usual threat of inclement weather.
