Elk Cove Pinot Noir "Mount Richmond" Yamhill-Carlton 2021 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) - [WS 94] [WA 94] [WE 93] [JS 93] [JD 94]

Elk Cove Pinot Noir "Mount Richmond" Yamhill-Carlton 2021
(Willamette Valley, Oregon) - [WS 94] [WA 94] [WE 93] [JS 93] [JD 94]

Name: Elk Cove Pinot Noir "Mount Richmond" Yamhill-Carlton 2021 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) - [WS 94] [WA 94] [WE 93] [JS 93] [JD 94]
Brand: NORTHWEST WINES
SKU: EL21M6 (6PK)
Price: 49.97 USD
Availability: InStock

$70.00 $49.97 Save $20.03

6-PACK PRICE = $44.97 per item (add 6+ quantity to your basket)

WS94 WA94 WE93 JS93 JD94

Size

750 mL

Quantity

Allow Vintage Substitution?

Vintage

VINTAGE 2021 was an outstanding year at Elk Cove. Cool weather during bloom and moderate temperatures during most of the growing season brought forth an ample harvest of intensely concentrated fruit.

The timing of weather events was key to our success in 2021. Rainfall during bloom raised expectations for a small, high-quality crop. Then a once-in-a millennium heat dome event brought worrying temperatures to the Pacific Northwest. This was thankfully during the most resilient stage of the growing season and our old vines survived without signs of serious stress or sunburn. Growth resumed normally once temperatures cooled with average heat from July through September bringing even ripening to the plentiful small, loose clusters. Our vines made it through the rain and the heat in fine condition with lots of variable-sized berries, known as hens and chicks.

Harvest 2021 was not only of high quality but also surprisingly bountiful. Low levels of dehydration combined with the numerous small clusters and several acres of young vines coming into maturity meant a record tonnage for Elk Cove. For red Pinot Noirs, expect intense color and flavors bursting out of the glass, while white wines and rosés are fruit-forward with great acidity and balance.

Vineyard

Mount Richmond Vineyard sits on Willakenzie soils in the heart of the Yamhill Carlton AVA. The site was purchased in 1996 as a partnership between winemaker Adam Campbell, his wife Carrie, and Elk Cove founders Pat and Joe Campbell.

The motivation for planting Mount Richmond was to emulate the wine quality from sites such as our esteemed Roosevelt vineyard. The vineyard now holds the honor as the largest vineyard holding of Elk Cove, totaling over 150 planted acres.

Mount Richmond sits at 300-500 feet elevation, lower than the vineyards planted at the winery, which allows for earlier ripening. Planted in a high-density format (2100 vines/acre), similar to Roosevelt, Mount Richmond sits in rolling hills just outside the town of Yamhill just East of the Coast Range Mountains. In addition to the old vine Pommard selection, planted from select cuttings off of Roosevelt Vineyard, the blend now also includes equal parts of Dijon clones 115 and 777.

Winemaking

Fruit from Mount Richmond is fermented in small, temperature controlled steel tanks, hand punched down twice daily, and barreled in french oak barrels. After 10 months of aging in barrels, only the barrels that are most representative of the Mount Richmond profile are carefully blended to create a big, luscious Oregon Pinot Noir.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:

"Pouring a nearly opaque ruby-red, the 2021 Pinot Noir Mount Richmond is darker and more introspective, with brooding notes of blackberry fruit, toasted baking spices, licorice, and scorched earth. Structured, full-bodied, and opulent, it takes on ripe tannins, white pepper spice, and ripe meaty fruit through the finish, with lingering notes of incense. This age-worthy red will need time to soften and open up. Drink 2025-2035." - Audrey Frick (9/23)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A compelling Pinot, richly refined and expressive, with polished raspberry and cherry flavors and hints of forest floor and spiced cinnamon. Concludes with supple tannins. Drink now through 2031. 1,140 cases made.” -TF (4/26/23)

94 Points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate:
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Mount Richmond has a medium ruby-purple color and is scented of black cherry and plum, tobacco leaves, smoked meats and orange peel. The medium-bodied palate is silky and refreshing, with generous, perfumed fruit and spicy accents driving the long finish. Drink 2023-2033." -Erin Brooks (5/18/23)

93 Points - James Suckling:
Aromas of dried cranberries, dark cherries, cloves and rosemary. Medium-bodied and tense with fine tannins. Juicy red-berry core on the palate, seasoned with ground spices and savory herbs. Refreshing, polished finish. Better after 2024.

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
Review will be published soon.

93 Points - Paul Gregutt (Founding member of Wine Enthusiast's Tasting Panel & Former Editor):
"This is Elk Cove’s largest estate vineyard with over 150 acres in vine. Now fully mature it presents a complex, multi-layered wine that sets the lush Pommard fruit against the more precise and deep flavors of the Dijon clones. A mix of blackberries, marionberries and blueberries, backed with juicy acids, this rolls into a juicy finish with black cherry, tobacco and a hint of licorice.” (3/23)