2006 Dobbes Family Estate Quailhurst Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 237 cases, $65. This vineyard is farmed by Marvin and Deborah Hausman. Dobbes Family Estate has a monopoly on all of the fruit available for sale from this vineyard and this wine is the first vineyard-designated Pinot Noir offered by another winery. The vineyard was farmed to 2.10 tons per acre. 100% de-stemmed with 70% whole berries intact in the fermenter. Racked twice before bottling and aged 11 months in French oak. · Slightly reduced aromas of dark stone fruits, dark chocolate, charred oak and smoke. Lovely black cherry and berry fruit liquor attack the palate and coat every nook and cranny in the mouth. The fruit is ripe but stops short of overripeness. The flavors are stunning, close to a slightly sweet and tart freshly baked cherry pie with a perfect crust and a hint of nutmeg spice. Everything is in harmony with supple tannins and a tangy finish. A distinctive wine with great charisma. Reviewed March 26, 2009

Winery: Joe Dobbes Wines
From article: Dobbes Family Estate