Ken Wright Cellars
Located in rural Carlton, Oregon, Ken Wright Cellars is devoted to single vineyard Pinot Noir that showcase the terroir of some of the Willamette Valley's top vineyards. Assiduous attention is paid to optimal site selection and vineyard health. Source is everything. When you work with great sites, great things can happen. These great things cannot happen without a commitment by the Vineyard owner to the health of the vineyard and extremely low crop levels that ensure intensity of aroma, flavor and texture. Certain things in this world are better left alone. Minimal handling of the wine is essential to preserve what it is, a gift of nature. This winemaking philosophy defines Ken Wright Cellars. Ken Wright is very active in local charities and was instrumental in organizing the six new American Viticultural Areas that define the Northern Willamette Valley. Ken wrote the proposition for the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and served as the association's first President.
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| Website | www.kenwrightcellars.com/ |
|---|---|
| Address | 236 N Kutch St., Carlton, OR 97111 |
| Wine Maker | Ken Wright |
| Country | America |
| Region | Oregon |
| Appellation | Willamette Valley, Columbia Gorge, Dundee Hills, McMinnville District, Yamhill-Carlton |
From this Winery
The Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a representation of many of our single vineyard Pinot noir sites in one bottle. This new
vintage boasts true Oregon elegance. A balanced purity of black cherry, red plum and cranberry are enveloped by hints of gingercake, orange zest and cedar.
100% Pinot Blanc, from Freedom Hill Vineyard, in the Mount Pisgah AVA, is barrel fermented and barrel aged in neutral French oak barrels.
Typically it exhibits complex aromas of cantaloupe, tangerine, white peach and orange blossom on the nose. Ripe melon and citrus on the palate. Long, silky, and refreshing finish.
The Celilo Vineyard is a unique vineyard situated on a 1,000 foot bluff overlooking the Columbia River in the Columbia River Gorge. It lies on the south face of Mount Underwood, which is currently an inactive volcano. The soil is pulverized basalt, extremely porous and loose, which promotes deep rooting. The vineyard was planted in 1983 using Wente clone. Unlike the Chardonnay grown in the hot eastern desert of Washington, this is a much cooler site. As a result, the fruit retains more acidity and the wine displays a clean mineral character with an expansive texture.
This Chardonnay is from a half acre planting of Dijon 548 clone. This clone is a precocious ripener, often harvested before Pinot noir. Clusters and berries are both small in size, leading to naturally low crop levels and intense aroma and flavor.
Remaining on the lees in barrel through fermentation and aging creates a beautiful silken mouth feel on this Yamhill-Carlton Chardonnay. Detailed qualities of honeysuckle, lemon curd, pear and brioche play on the note and palate. While integrated touches of oak allow a brilliant acidity to shine.
Canary Hill Vineyard
Winemakers comments: Fruit Focused
Light tannins and bright acidity. Red and blue fruit - juicy red plum, pie cherry, and marionberry.
Artwork shows Dick and Nancy Daniel (original owners) planting the vineyard in 1983
Fruit Focused. Floral hints of fresh linen, hyacinth lilt over blackberry and black cherry preserve. Great acid and structure lead to a mouthwatering finish.
Floral & Spice Focused Very forward & attractve in its youth with a depth of flavor - raspberry, mulberry combine with morel mushroom for an earthy & luscious mouth feel.
Floral & Spice Focused. Red currant, cranberry, and bing cherry are wrapped in notes of black tea, cinnamon bark, and cedar. Flovers of red fruits and black licorace are soft and lush on the palate.
Floral & Spice Focused Blue & red fruits of blueberry and raspberry with delicate anise and cola notes.
Opulent texture and a luscious mouth feel.