Product Overview
Vineyard Notes
Freedom Hill Vineyard is located in the foothills of the Coast Range, 10 miles SW of Salem, Oregon. During the day warm air rises from the valley floor ripening the skins. At night, cool ocean breezes act to retain acidity. Planted on old sedimentary soils, the vines have a SW exposure at an elevation of 520’ to 580’. Our Pinot noir comes from two blocks, one planted in 2004 with Pommard and Wädenswil and one planted in 2008 with 777.
Production Notes
Release Date: Sep 2022; Production: 996 cases. The de-stemmed grapes were fermented in 4-8 ton stainless steel fermenters with no SO2, allowing the fermentations to proceed naturally. After gentle pressing and settling, the wine aged in French oak barrels, 21% of which were new, for 16 months before bottling by gravity without fining.
Tasting Notes
The 2018 Freedom Hill is deep ruby-red color. It has a very spice driven nose with dark cherry, plum, and white pepper. The mouth is an explosion of dark fruits, punctuated by bright acidity followed by sweet, savory spices, smoky oak and rich fruit tannins. This is a big wine that will enjoy some time in the glass and hearty dishes. It should also age beautifully.
Food Pairing Notes
Rich, full flavored entrees like New York steaks, leg of lamb and roasted vegetables.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Willamette Valley AVA
Vineyard Designation: Freedom Hill Vineyard
Aging: 16 months in French oak, 21% new
Production: 996 cases
Winemaker: Mark Vlossak
92 Points - Vinous
"Vivid garnet. Boysenberry, cherry liqueur, exotic spice and floral scents are energized by a building mineral quality. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering concentrated red and blue fruit, spicecake, lavender pastille and licorice flavors that turn livelier with air. Gently chewy tannins frame the long, juicy finish, where the floral and spice notes return." -JR, Feb/2022
89 Points - Wine Enthusiast
"This is a spicy wine still pulling together after aging in 21% new French oak barrels. The aromas still have a raw-wood note along with cherry fruit. The wine tails off rather quickly, which further emphasizes the barrels over the grapes." -PG, 4/1/22
88 Points - Wine Spectator
"Tight and compact, with expressive raspberry and rose petal aromas that open to brooding notes of blueberry and fresh earth. Best after 2022. 996 cases made." -TF, 2022
