Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 2023

Tasting notes

Savory, floral and spice focused— A complex nose of rose, spice, and sandalwood. Palate is greeted by fresh red fruit, including raspberry and tart cherry. It’s balanced with bright acidity, baking spice, and a smooth, juicy texture.

Vintage Notes

2023 was a banner year for us. We had very good crop levels, plenty of heat to ripen properly and had a long season with extended hang time. The weather was very mild avoiding extremes of cold or heat. There were no frost scares at the start of the season and only two days at 100 degrees in the entire growing season. All great wine is about balance. This year the beautiful array of aromatics, plush texture and the frame of acidity are seriously compelling.

Viticulture

YEAR PLANTED & ACREAGE: Original planting 1989, 140 acres total, KWC blocks 17.13 acres
SPACING: 7 X 5 ft. , 1,244 vines/acre
ELEVATION & ASPECT: 540-600 ft. , S
CLONES & ROOTSTOCK: Blk 2: Pommard on 3309, Blk 4: Pommard on 3309, Blk 7: Wadenswil on 44-53, Blk 13: 114 on 101-14, Blk 5: 777 on 3309, Blk 9: Wadenswil on 3309, Blk 10: 777 on 101-14, Blk 12: 777 on 101-14, Blk 19: WadenswilThird Hill: Pommard on 101-14
MOTHER ROCK: Ancient Marine Sediments
SOIL SERIES: Goodin and Melbourne Series
FARMING: Sustainably farmed

Vinification

AGING REGIME: 10-11 months in 20% new French oak barrels

Winery Description

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.