The 2017 Temperance Hill has a beautifully perfumed nose of
baking spices with ginger, cinnamon and allspice, dark dried
roses and blackberries. Very fresh red berries and cherries with
vibrant acidity and hints of allspice fill your mouth. The freshness
continues into the finish with spices and dried fruits that linger
softly on the palate. https://vimeo.com/430548193. Temperance Hill 2016/2017 comparison Tasting with Winemaker Mark.
Ratings
93 pts - James Suckling / 93 pts - OwenBargreen.com / 91 pts - International Wine Report / 94 pts - Vinous Feb 2022 - Josh Raynolds: "Dark, bright-rimmed scarlet. Mineral-accented raspberry, cherry and exotic spice aromas are complemented by a potpourri note and a hint of smokiness. Shows impressive energy and definition on the palate, offering vibrant red berry, bitter cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors supported by a spine of smoky minerality. Finishes impressively long and taut, with an intriguing blood orange flourish and discreet tannins. I had the chance to re-taste the 2016 sibling of this wine, and compared to the 2017 it’s a more powerful rendition but in no way heavy. There's a somewhat darker profile to the fruit and more heft on the palate, but the vibrancy and cut of this 2017 are really compelling, making it more to my personal preference. I wouldn't kick either one out of the cellar for eating crackers or crusty baguettes."
Vineyard Notes
Temperance Hill Vineyard is located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA,
ten miles NW of Salem, Oregon, and is organically farmed. This
exposed, cool high altitude site ripens later than surrounding
vineyards. Our Pinot noir grapes come from three blocks planted
on thin weathered basalt. The East Block planted in 1984 is on a
steep hill rising to 870’. The “R” (2004) and Pump House Blocks
(1995) face south.
Production Notes
The de-stemmed grapes were fermented in 4-8 ton stainless steel
and Burgundy oak fermenters with no SO2, allowing the
fermentation to proceed naturally. After gentle pressing and
settling, the wine aged in French oak barrels, 21% of which were
new, for 16 months before bottling by gravity without fining.
Winemaker Notes
Vintage Notes: 2017, after three very warm and early harvests, brought a welcome change with cooler temperatures during the summer and a normal harvest window. We began picking on September 15th for sparkling wine. After a week with temperatures in the 70’s, we harvested Chardonnay between 9/22 and 9/29. All of the Pinot noir was picked in a two-week window beginning on 9/26 with continued pleasant temperatures and no rain. The wines have more aromatic and flavor nuances with balanced acidity and moderate alcohols.
Food Pairing Notes
Salmon, lamb chops, pork tenderloin and simply prepared grilled foods.
