Commuter Cuvée
Grochau Cellars
Willamette Valley
Pinot Noir
Vintage 2019
Medium-pale ruby in color.
Medium-prominent nose of cherry, strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate, vanilla, and spice.
Dry, light bodied, moderate tannins with high acidity.
Layered flavors of strawberry, cranberry, cherry, cola, toasted oak, vanilla, and smoke.
The finish is lingering, slightly spicy which is throwing us. Could it have a touch of Tempranillo?
13.3% ABV
$20 a bottle.
From the producers website:
Winemaker Note:
This wine is all about the bright fresh purity of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir! The Commuter Cuvée is our first release Pinot Noir each year and is a blend from multiple Willamette Valley vineyards that capture the essence of each vintage. It’s a wine for every occasion from a family dinner to relaxing in front of the TV. Take it to the beach, the mountains, the office party or along on a bike ride (not encouraging, just saying). This is your anytime go-to bottle. Drink up!
Winemaking:
Hand sorted and mostly destemmed, and only 5% whole cluster fermentation this vintage. Aged 8 months on lees, 30% in stainless steel, 68% in French oak, and 2% in concrete tank.
Harvest:
A relatively mild and early winter was followed by a wet, yet warm spring. The growing season saw a few mild frosts during late April, but started off warmer than average, moderating through mid-vintage with fewer than average heat spikes and nearrecord precipitation during June and July. The vintage will be remembered for the early rains in September and rapid cool down in October which challenged harvesting decisions.
JenNis Beverage Marketing score of 90 points.
Of interest, the label of this 2019 shows a bicycle with a mask hanging from the handlebars. Pr-Covid?
Craft Beverage Marketing and Wine Competitions! 