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 several other highly rated wineries in Oregon for use in their own blends, and their “Elkhorn Ridge” designated bottlings, 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 in years past, we are producing our Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “Le Terre Foss” Pinot Noir and the Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “777” Pinot Noir.

And, once again, we will be making public the Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “Cala d’Or.” This white wine, produced in extremely small quantities, is a blend of 57% Pinot Blanc and 43% Pinot Gris, all from Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards estate grown fruit.

The 2007 Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “Le Terre Foss” Pinot Noir

The 2007 “Le Terre Foss” is a complex blend of 25% Dijon Clone 113, 114, 115 and Pommard, and 75% Dijon Clone 777. It exhibits a deep, dark burgundy color, a little more feminine in character than the “777,” it is marked with accents red cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruit. Medium bodied, with excellent mid-palate structure and a subtle white pepper and earthy note, this wine has a long and satiny 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 four to five years. 375 cases were produced at an alcohol level of 13.7%.

The 2007 Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “777” Pinot Noir

Unlike the “Le Terre Foss,” the 2007 Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “777” Pinot Noir is noted for its deep black fruit and minerally undertones. Black cherries, blackberries, black currants and a plumy note, characterize this wine. The “777,” is a joyful mouthful of lovely Pinot Noir, which is further, distinguished with an extra long finish, a slight touch of chocolate and excellent balance throughout. Somewhat more full-bodied, but never heavy, and more 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! Drink now through 2012. Alcohol 14.1%. 165 cases produced.

In summary, both the 2007 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 are never manipulated and show elegance, finesse, beautiful structure and superb breeding! They were both aged for 12 and 14 months respectively, 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 utmost of standards.

These are real winners, again, and we’re sure that even more accolades and awards will be forthcoming!

The 2007 Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “Cala d’Or”

The 2007 Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery “Cala d’Or,” as mentioned above, is a blend of 57% Pinot Blanc and a 43% Pinot Gris, all estate grown. 100% stainless steel fermented to dryness, this wine shows a very nice balance of fruit, with notes of pears, white peaches and tropical fruits, all showing through quite nicely. The “Cala d’Or” is a medium bodied wine with a supple structure and medium finish. This is a multi-purpose white wine, which will integrate extremely well with food, as well as being an excellent aperitif. Quantities of this wine are extremely limited as only 25 cases were produced! The alcohol level is 12.7%.