About the producer:

Carlton Hill Vineyard was established in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA by David Polite in 1999. After finding an east-facing slope on ancient marine sedimentary soils in Yamhill-Carlton, David and his team planted six acres of Pinot Noir on what he hoped would one day become one of the best sites in the valley. After two decades of thoughtful farming, in which his crew avoids unnecessary use of chemical inputs, his now mature vines are demonstrating that his hopes were well-founded.

In the winery, David has followed a simple approach from the beginning. Without dogma, he seeks to avoid manipulating the wines as much as possible: no yeast nutrients, no added yeast, no enzymes or must-concentrating technology. Put simply, they grow the best fruit they possibly can, and then employ a straightforward winemaking method which allows the character of each vintage to speak for itself. After a native yeast fermentation and gentle extraction, the wines are always aged in around 20% new oak barriques for 11 months. The only variable that changes a bit year to year is the percentage of stem inclusion, which never dominates the flavor profile. The result is pristine, elegant Pinot Noirs which reflect both their place of origin, and the growing season they were born in.

Flor impressions:

Plenty of black cherry, standing firmly on the riper side of the line –  without straying into baked, jammy fruit territory – adds a hedonistic, pleasure-filled note to this wine’s identity. The palate shows great density, with those fresh black cherry flavors staining the palate, again, without a trace of overripeness. Cola spice adds depth and complexity, while its structured, suave and ripe tannins show off the sun and warmth that these grapes enjoyed in the hot summer and fall of 2015. Remarkably balanced and lively at this stage for a wine of this vintage.

-Gaston