Portland Wine Merchants of the Northwest

Featured Northwest Wines:

Carlton Hill Vineyard

Currently six acres in size, Carlton Hill Vineyard sits in the center of Oregon appellation Yamhill-Carlton District. The Yamhill-Carlton appellation, which is comprised of the sedimentary remains of an ancient ocean bed, is unique in that the soils are some of the oldest in the Willamette Valley region. And, while the Appellation is still very young, the wines produced from here reveal very distinct bright, black fruit flavors. The Carlton Hill Vineyard, sitting at an elevation ranging between 420 and 480 feet, enjoys eastern exposures not unlike those in Burgundy and is comprised of Willakenzie and Peavine soils. Planted to 115 and 777 Dijon clones, the vineyard utilizes a dense planting scheme which insures the concentration and intensity we seek in our wines. And yes, sitting on top of Carlton Hill is a croquet court where from time to time local wine makers and friends engage in a battle for supremacy. Thus the presence of croquet mallets on our logo.

carlton hill croquet

2004 Carlton Hill Pinot Noir

Another year has taken us by storm. Once again, the growing season had its challenges and the vines produced a very modest fruit set due to poor weather conditions during bloom. The dark clouds had a silver lining however as nature did the fruit thinning for us, resulting in a nearly perfect balance of leaf canopy to fruit. Due to the hot summer and our young grape plants, we choose to pick on September 11th. The yield was just over 3/4 ton per acre. While early in terms of traditional harvest in Oregon, the grapes rewarded us with a beautifully balanced wine revealing lush, ripe raspberry, cola and red cherry flavors. Aged for a year in 30% new oak, only 286 cases of the 2004 Pinot Noir were produced. I believe this wine can cellar for at least eight to ten years. Enjoy! $29.95