2022 Marsh Estate 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.
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.
2022 VINTAGE NOTES
The 2022 vintage was a challenging yet extraordinary season in the Willamette Valley. Despite early setbacks with Spring frost affecting the primary buds, our vineyards' diverse locations and elevations, along with strategic positioning across the region, allowed us to overcome these hurdles.
The unique interplay of warm days in September and October paved the way for a late but exceptional harvest, resulting in wines that showcase intense aromas, ripe fruit characteristics, and high natural acidity.
Finding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with both quick-ripening and late-season character is a rare occurrence. So savor these 2022 vintages as they embody a truly exceptional quality.
WINEMAKER TASTING NOTES
Opens with a playful nose of candy cherry, hints of strawberry fruit leather, and a touch of apple peel. On the palate, it’s light and vibrant with tart red currant and juicy strawberry flavors intertwined with notes of red cherry. A hint of green peppercorn adds complexity, while delicate peony florals and earthy tannins frame the refreshing finish.
94 – James Suckling