Dundee Hills Estate Pinot Gris
2015
Sokol Blosser is one of the pioneering estates of the Oregon state wine industry. In 1971 when Bill Blosser and Susan Sokol Blosser began converting an old prune orchard into a vineyard they became one of five bonded wineries in the region. In the ensuing decades Oregon’s wine industry has grown (today there are over 500 wineries), changed and blossomed with Sokol Blosser at the forefront. Leading by example in their quest to produce exceptional wines while also promoting social and...
See the SOKOL BLOSSER detail page for more information on this brand
2015 saw record heat growing degree days, which encouraged the earliest bud break and bloom since they winery began growing grapes. This was one of the earliest harvest dates on record. The large crop required fruit thinning to ensure there was enough fermentation space in the cellar. At this time they had never seen a hotter year in Oregon but the constant every year is that growing grapes every year is different and special.
The grapes were hand harvested and a gentle whole cluster pressing was done without destemming or crushing the grapes. The juice was allowed to cold settle for 2 days until the heavy sediment was racked off and transferred to either cool stainless steel tanks or small 55 gallons stainless steel fermentation drums. The small vessel fermentations allowed for greater development of mouthfeel by increasing the ratio of wine to the fermentation lees. The diversity of yeasts used to perform fermentation and the extended period of lees contact prior to blending and bottling contributed greatly to the complexity of the wine.
Ther 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris is Sokol Blosser's signature white wine of Oregon. They press the pinot gris grapes as whole clusters which are given a slow, cool fermentation in stainless steel. This lends a firm, focused backbone to the wine that is coupled with its lush creaminess. It has complex undertones of earth and minerals with expressive notes of floral, citrus and melon.
From the warmest vintage on record, ripeness was never the issue here. It's balance and freshness that are the litmus test, and this passes with flying colors. Firm polished apple and pear fruit anchors the wine, with highlights of citrus skin. It's got all you could ask for in an all-purpose, solid and tasty young white wine.
See detailed press review