Wine Notes > Gamay Noir > Previous Release

2003 Ridgecrest Vineyards CERISE™

(updated May 1, 2006)

2006 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1996

The Wine

Cerise™ is our name for a predominantly Gamay noir blend with Pinot noir. Both varietals are best done in Burgundy and both exhibit a palate of cherry flavors and aromas. "Cherry" in French, Cerise is our tribute to a high fruit, moderately serious red wine. In Burgundy they do one too, called passetoutgrains, blended at approximately 80% Gamay noir to 20% Pinot noir, for drinking while waiting for their highly structured pinots to develop. Ours is made with the same casual purpose in mind.

The Vineyard

Our oldest estate vineyard, Ridgecrest is a 50 acre vineyard on a 165 acre property. Beginning in 1980, this site pioneered grapegrowing on Ribbon Ridge, a small ridge on the western end of the Chehalem Range and Valley. Soils are Willakenzie, a transition soil series exhibiting characteristics of both volcanic and sedimentary underlying structures. The rich, supple black cherry and blackberry fruits are characteristic of Ridgecrest Vineyard and the Willakenzie soil type. Excellent acidity and a finesseful texture and finish are hallmarks of the vineyard site, being relatively high in elevation, mature in vine age and deeply rooted. There are two acres of Gamay noir planted at the site, in perhaps the oldest commercial planting in the US.

The Vintage

This is an excellent vintage, albeit unusual in the fiery nature of the growing season. The same dry and warm growing and ripening seasons held for 2003 as with the past few vintages, only moreso, with Region II (not cool climate!) heat accumulations of 2500 units, average highs of 78F July-October and half the normal rainfall with 2.75 inches. Fruit was disease free, crop loads were easily honed to desired levels, and soil moisture was adequate due to good pre-season winter rains. Concerns of the vintage center on high sugars and resultant high alcohols, and low acids. Almost comparable past vintages like excellent 1992 may urge us not to worry.

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested on 10/8/2003 @ an average 24.1 brix, 3.22pH, and 5.4 g/l TA, from a 1.75 tons per acre Harvested cropload

Fermentation:

22 days total fermentation with 8 days pre maceration

Cooperage/Aging:

11 months in barrel, racking twice

Wine Selection:

Gamay noir (80%) and Pinot noir (20%)

Bottling:

Sterile filtered and Bottled 09/8/04

Bottling Analyses:

14.9% alcohol, 6.5g/l TA, 3.36pH

Cases Produced:

244

Suggested Retail:

$18

Release Date:

May 2005

Winemaker's Comments

A syrah/zinfandel nose, almost huckleberry in nature and intensity, with big acid and a tangy, low pH zing on the palate, this blue-black wine is laser focused and should age exceptionally well. An interestingly big version of Cerise.

Quotes

The Kansas City Star, February 8, 2006, “Grape Escape,” Doug Frost. This delightful and deep red… is so completely charming as to bowl me over. Any lover of red wines, as long as he or she is not wedded to pure power, should enjoy a happy affair with this redhead.

© CHEHALEM
31190 NE Veritas Lane • Newberg, OR 97132
Tasting Room (503) 538-4700 • Winery (503) 537-5553 • Fax (503) 537-0850