As has been proven, time and time again, the number one component from which all great wines are made, is fruit! If you don’t have great grapes, you can’t produce great wine! Fortunately, Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery has control of the raw material and is 100% Estate Bottled, which means that all of the grapes that go into our wines come from our own vineyard. Even though we sell fruit to four other highly rated wineries in Oregon for use in their own blends, we get first pick of the vineyard blocks and clones from which our grapes come.

This year we are again releasing two distinct Pinot Noir bottlings. As with last year, we are producing our Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “Le Terre Foss” Pinot Noir.

Additionally, we will be releasing a new bottling that we refer to as Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “777” Pinot Noir.

The 2005 Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “Le Terre Foss” Pinot Noir

The 2005 “Le Terre Foss” is a blend of 25% Dijon Clone 113 and 75% of Dijon Clone 777. It exhibits a dark, nearly opaque color, very elegant and feminine in character, it is marked with rose petal accents to the red cherry and raspberry fruit. Medium bodied, with excellent mid-palate structure and a subtle white pepper note, this wine has a long and elegant finish, which goes on and on. Delicate and refined tannins with spice notes, round out its trade mark Pinot Noir character. The “Le Terre Foss” is quite approachable now, but will continue to reward those who can properly cellar it over the next three to four years. Only 100 cases were produced at an alcohol level of 13.5%.

The 2005 Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “777” Pinot Noir

Ever since we planted this vineyard, the one single, stand alone clone of Pinot Noir (out of the five different clones that we have planted), that has always impressed us and stood out above the others, is the Dijon Clone 777. So much so, that together with our winemaker, we made the decision in 2005, that this clone would have to be made into a single bottling.

The 2005 Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “777” Pinot Noir has finally arrived and we think it’s absolutely wonderful! We think, you’ll think so, too!

Unlike the “Le Terre Foss,” the “777” is noticeable by its deep black fruit and minerally undertones. Black cherries, blackberries, black currants and notes of ripe strawberries and a beautiful floral cherry bouquet, are all sure to please.  The “777,” is a joyful mouthful of lovely Pinot Noir, which is further distinguished, like its “Le Terre Foss” sibling, with an extra long finish and a slight touch of chocolate and excellent balance throughout. Slightly more full-bodied and fruit driven than the “Le Terre Foss,” this wine is vibrant and sophisticated and is turning out to be everything we had hoped it would be! Alcohol 13.5%. 420 cases produced.

In summary, both the 2005 Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “777” and the “Le Terre Foss” Pinot Noir, share a commonality of 100% estate grown fruit, excellent acid balance and delicate tannins and a core of juicy fruit flavors. They were both aged for 12 months in equal amounts of new, one year and two year old French oak cooperage; the finest French oak barrels available.

We live in a world of mass production, but these wines are hand crafted, unique in character and are produced to the highest of standards.