2018 Marsh Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir
ABOUT MARSH ESTATE PINOT NOIR
Since 2010, ROCO has produced some of our juiciest and fresh-fruited Pinot Noirs from this low elevation jewel estate, located in the eastern portion of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Tucked just west of the Dundee Hills, Marsh Estate Vineyard starts at a 250ft elevation and ascends steeply to a peak elevation of 320ft at the end of an exposed ridge line. This exposure ensures maximum sunlight, and combined with soil derived from marine sandstone, gives the wine an intense real cherry and raspberry front with a black pepper finish. A collectible wine that is drinkable now, but can lay down for a number of years.
2018 VINTAGE NOTES
The 2018 Willamette Valley vintage saw an unusually dry, warm season more reminiscent of California. A record dry May and hot summer gave way to cooler September weather and early October rain. Ideal ripening conditions prevailed from October 10-22. Irrigated vineyards fared well despite the dry conditions. The resulting wines showcase ripe fruit flavors balanced by good acidity. ROCO wines from this vintage feature their signature rich mid-palate and juicy finish.
WINEMAKING PROCESS
ROCO Pinot Noir is handpicked and then chilled overnight to 38°F in our large cold room. The chilled bunches are gently de-stalked and the whole berries fall into small 1.6 ton open fermenters. The berries soak for ten days before beginning ferment with our proprietary, house-cultured, indigenous wine yeast. Soaking allows gentle extraction of color and flavor from the berry skin, and not the bitter-tasting seeds. The fermentations are hand punched twice a day to mix skins and fermenting juices. Ferments are allowed to reach about 28°C. A post-fermentation soak occurs until the wine is just right for removing from the skins and seeds. At that time the ferment is gently pressed in our modern tank press. The young wine is then sent to barrel for malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity and to add further complexity, then racked once to new, one, two and three-year-old, tight-grained, French oak barrels. The wines are aged in barrel for 18 or more months before bottling.
WINEMAKER TASTING NOTES
Overall the 2018 vintage produced robust, “statement” Pinot noir. The Marsh Estate Pinot Noir is true to this vintage hype. It has aromas of deep black raspberry fruit which are nicely moderated by a touch of bright strawberry/rhubarb blended with lovely Italian plum essences. Yamhill-Carlton spice complexity comes through on the nose with touches of black peppercorn and delicate marjoram. In the mouth there is concentrated dense raspberry/hibiscus flower, and a hint of cranberry, leading to a silky textured black cherry and plum fruit in the middle palate. Yes, the “tell” of Yamhill-Carlton AVA comes through again with a touch of black pepper and balanced fruit that sails on toward a beautiful long finish. - Rollin Soles, Winemaker
CLUB PRICING
- Collector: $53
- Premier: $56
- Signature: $60
Club discounts applied at checkout.
