Gran Moraine Pinot Noir Yamhill Carlton AVA Oregon 2018 (750ml)

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Dynamic yet elegant and sleek, with refined cherry, dusky spice and crushed stone accents that take on richness and structure toward medium-grained tannins.  Drink now through 2028.

 

Rated 92 Points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 

Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton has broody aromas of crushed cherries and blood orange with accents of forest floor and exotic spices.  The medium-bodied palate is silky with uplifted, floral-laced fruits and a long, vivacious finish.

 

Rated 92 Points by James Suckling

 

Aromas of baked berry biscuit and some gentle reductive nuances that add a charcuterie-like edge here.  The palate has assertive, driving pomegranate and cherry flavors, as well as a flex of fine tannin that adds depth.  Drink or hold.

 

Gran Moraine Pinot Noir

 

Yamhill Carlton District Oregon 2018

 

Each bottle of Gran Moraine offers an experience worth lingering over

 

The 2018 Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir was crafted from fruit grown on our Gran Moraine Vineyard, which was planted in 2005 and is one of the more westerly vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton.  A small amount of additional fruit was sourced from our Winery Estate vineyard, which was planted in 2007 and is just six miles northeast of the town of Carlton.  Both sites are located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and contain some of the oldest marine sedimentary based soils in the greater Willamette Valley.

 

Aromas:  Choke cherry, sassafras, lavender, milk chocolate, peppermint

 

Flavors:  Pomegranate, shitake mushroom, black pepper, molasses, leather

 

Texture:  Wound like a spring with red to blue fruit notes on the mid palate, cleansing acidity and vibrant tannins on the finish

 

Type:  Red

 

Producer:  Gran Moraine

 

Varietal:  Pinot Noir

 

Country:  USA

 

Region:  Oregon

 

Winemaker Notes

 

The 2018 Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir exudes aromas of Choke cherry, sassafras, lavender, milk chocolate, and peppermint.  The palate is wound like a spring with red to blue fruit notes on the mid palate, bursting with flavors of pomegranate, shitake mushrooms, black pepper, molasses, and leather.  Cleansing acidity and vibrant tannins on the finish.

 

Gran Moraine Vineyard

 

• On the wild western edge of the Willamette Valley's Yamhill-Carlton AVA

 

• Nestled in the foothills of the Coast Range

 

• Grown in a rain shadow, protected from Pacific winds

 

• A jewel box for Chardonnay & Pinot Noir

 

• Scattered gems of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blocks produce wines with our unique stamp of terroir

 

 

Gran Moraine

 

At Gran Moraine, our majestic vineyard is our muse.

 

It steers our winegrowing team to express the vineyard’s unparalleled beauty through meticulous farming and fearless winemaking.

 

With perspectives forged from years spent in the world’s most famous wine regions, Shane, Myles, Ken, and Leti bring deep pedigree and diversity of thought to Gran Moraine.  Viticultural expertise and winemaking knowledge are matched with unbridled passion and unwavering vision for what is possible at Gran Moraine.

 

Shane Moore

 

Hailing from Idaho, Shane had an early interest in wine and agriculture, which led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Enology and Viticulture from Washington State University.  His passion and curiosity prompted Shane to travel the world, gaining winemaking experience in Canada, Western Australia, Israel’s Golan Heights, and finally Sonoma County.

 

Shane was offered the chance to apply his skills and innate talent to the newly established Gran Moraine Winery in 2013, where his innovative and unique approach to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay winemaking found a home in the Willamette Valley.  In 2016, Shane was named Gran Moraine Winemaker.

 

“I guess I’ve always picked early; at least as perceived by American standards.  In 2013, my first vintage in the Willamette, when I asked Ken to pick the first Pinot noir block of the harvest he asked me “Do you really think it’s ready?”

 

At that time I’d worked 13 harvests all around the world.  He was the first vineyard manager to ever ask me that question.

 

Then with a couple more vintages working with the vineyard, and my first trip to Burgundy tasting in the cellars there, I gained the confidence that picking earlier at our Yamhill-Carlton site was how I was going to achieve the tension and energy that I was seeking from the Gran Moraine wines – rose, sparkling, and Chardonnay included.

 

So, everyone else might say I pick early.
I say they pick late.”

Winemaker Shane Moore

 

Winemaking Philosophy

 

The secret sauce of discipline & freedom of expression

 

In the cellar, a distinctive team follows the stringent processes adopted from Israeli military-run wineries of Shane Moore’s past, while dancing to the ever-changing verve of 24/7 music that emanates through the open-air winery, creating a sonic bubble around the facility.

 

Unconstrained Experimentation, eschewing
expectations, unselfconscious innovation.

 

Behind Gran Moraine’s refined wines are experimental projects set to test the limits and fail their way to great discoveries.  A walk-through the winery reveals ten cases of pet nat tucked in the corner, never to be released, extended tirage sparkling wines destined for various late disgorgement dates, and a clay amphora decorated with colorful hand-painted symbols.

 

Can't rush this.

 

At Gran Moraine, the sun rises and sets with Chardonnay.  No other grape is so versatile.  No other grape adapts like Chardonnay.  Power from acidity, complexity from long native ferments, precision from judicious oak use.

 

“They say I pick early, I say they pick late.”

 

Shane Moore’s viticultural and winemaking choices shine a light on the monologue of Gran Moraine Vineyard, lifting its voice through precise early picks, extended native ferments and careful extraction.  These choices bring to life the vineyard’s clean, vibrant energy, crunchy toothsome tannins, and perfumed character marked by citrus, heady floral notes, and herbs de Provence.

 

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Dynamic yet elegant and sleek, with refined cherry, dusky spice and crushed stone accents that take on richness and structure toward medium-grained tannins.  Drink now through 2028.