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2005 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Last Chance, Nearly Sold Out!! $45, Bottle. Save 10% on 12 All other sizes Sold Out. The 2005 Vintage: 2005’s winter months were unusually dry and warm, which led to early bud break. A relatively cool, wet spring slowed the amturation process down and caused some uneven flowering over an extended period, which ultimatelyA cool spring followed a warmer than usual winter which awoke the wines one month early. As spring progressed the weather allowed the vines time to mature at a healthy rate. Mother Nature did our work for us in June by thinning the clusters with unexpected hail. The rest of the summer provided warm days and cool nights allowing the fruit to mature at a nice even pace. The majority of the vintage was harvested in the first few weeks of October, after we were given many 70 degree days, allowing the fruit to dry out and for ripening to conclude. The result is a wine with a firm backbone needing more time in bottled to balance out. Véronique’s Tasting Notes: From their earliest days in barrel, the 2005 Pinot Noirs have been deep, dense wines. In contrast to the more delicate 2004, the 2005 is built on larger shoulders, with a strong backbone that will certainly reward with extended aging. Pinot Noir’s more delicate heart beats beneath, but for now the 2005 is true to the vintage. Of course, one can happily enjoy the wine now with its expressive nose of lilac and violet blossoms, and a wild array of red and black fruits, white pepper, clove and orange peel. The body is rich and the finish long and silky, suggesting a minimum aging of 7 to 10 years.