On the western slope of the south-facing Ribbon Ridge sits the lovely Lichtenwalter Vineyard. Here Willakenzie soils, derived from ancient sedimentary seabed, coax black fruits and concentrated spices out of the wines. The solid heat of the 2016 vintage has produced poised and plush fruit. With thoughtful decision making in the vineyard, specifically regarding canopy management and crop loads, the vineyards balanced physiological ripeness with balanced sugar and acid levels. During harvest, the fruit, including the seeds and skins, tasted great, and the resulting wines show beautifully today, while also holding great promise as they age.
Aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry, and black cherry with concentrated spices followed by hints of sandalwood, smoke and oolong tea. Depth in the mid-palate pairs with balanced acidity, and so, yet structured tannins. The Willamette Valley's smallest AVA speaks clearly and compellingly through this wine.
"This has attractive, vibrant and fresh fruit aromas with plenty of red cherries and a very juicy, lithe and attractively plush core of fresh fruit that carries long into the sweetly fruited, gently smoky finish. Drink now."
- James Suckling (November 2018), 93 pts
Go To Fullerton Lichtenwalter Pinot Noir
Great wine speaks profoundly, a universal language transcending any one culture. Hailing from northern Europe, the Fullerton family speaks many languages, and delights in sharing the language of wine with ...
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"Deep, brilliant red. Smoke-accented cherry, blackberry and violet scents show very good clarity and pick up a hint of spiciness with air. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet dark berry and spicecake flavors that are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Dusty tannins build steadily on an impressively long, penetrating finish that strongly echoes the cherry and floral notes. (all de-stemmed fruit and all neutral French oak, made entirely from the 777 Dijon clone°. - Josh Raynolds"
