2019 L’ENTRATA – PINOT NOIR
30 cases produced – May 2022
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Aging: 100% new French oak 228L barrel.
AVA: Columbia Valley
Alcohol: 13.7%
Vintage:
The 2019 vintage was warm to hot overall but late snow added significant moisture to the soil in March and April. The early growing season was plagued by high mildew pressure and substantial canopy growth. The vineyards continued to push new growth well into the summer as many vineyards went without watering for significant periods of time. Fall was moderate although we had an early frost that affected a number of vineyards.
Wine:
The fruit was picked at night to maintain freshness. Once at the winery it was cluster and berry sorted and then fermented in 88% stainless steel and 12% concrete tanks. A blend of three clones; 667(50%), 777(38%) and Pommard(12%). It was then aged in 100% new French oak 228L barrels for 26 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting note:
An intense nose of sweet fruits and savory nuance. Dried plums, sandalwood, kola nut, garrigue, black tea and blackberry compote. Swirling adds iron, chai spice and black cherry extract. The palate is medium bodied, filled with black fruits, spice and an intensely mineral driven finish. The tannins are ultra fine and carry this light in color but intense Pinot Noir to an incredibly long and complex finish.
2019 L’ENTRATA – CABERNET SAUVIGNON
30 cases produced – May 2022
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon 12% Merlot 3% Malbec
Aging: 20% new French oak 225Ls.
AVA: Columbia Valley
Alcohol: 13.9%
Vintage:
The 2019 vintage was warm to hot overall but late snow added significant moisture to the soil in March and April. The early growing season was plagued by high mildew pressure and substantial canopy growth. The vineyards continued to push new growth well into the summer as many vineyards went without watering for significant periods of time. Fall was moderate although we had an early frost that affected a number of vineyards.
Wine:
The fruit was picked at night to maintain freshness. Once at the winery the fruit was cluster and berry sorted and fermented in 97% stainless steel and 3% concrete tanks. Aged for 26 months in 20% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting note:
Vibrant notes of blackberry, plums, black currant, vanilla bean and raspberry liquor. Swirling adds pressed black fruits, raspberry puree, cocoa powder and sassafras. The palate is ripe and polished with a complex mixture of black fruits, black tea spice, juicy acidity and silky tannins.
2020 L’ENTRATA – Rose
30 cases produced – May 2022
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Aging: Barrel fermented and aged in a neutral French oak 500L.
AVA: Columbia Valley
Alcohol: 13.4%
Vintage:
The 2020 vintage was warm and dry with minimal rain throughout the season. The crop was lighter than usual and although not as extreme as Oregon and California, Washington was plagued by wild fires and the smoke that lingered for weeks at a time. There are reports of smoke tainted wines though they are few in number and limited to specific areas of the state. A late fall freeze that wiped out nearly all the vineyards brought the season to an abrupt end.
Wine:
The fruit was picked at night to maintain freshness. Once at the winery the fruit was destemmed and allowed to macerate to add the right amount of color to the juice before being moved to 500L neutral French oak barrels to begin the fermentation. Being made from Pinot Noir helped with maintaining a lighter color and a perfumed style although the wine shows much more intensity than the color suggests.
Tasting note:
Contrary to its color, this rosé is intense with its dried strawberry, watermelon, rose petals and white peach. Swirling adds sweetness to the nose, bringing up more stone fruits and red berries. The palate is dense and fresh with a beguiling sense of weight for its color. A very flexible wine that can cover a wide array of food pairings.
2019 L’ENTRATA – Sauvignon Blanc
30 cases produced – May 2022
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Aging: Barrel fermented and aged in a used French oak 300L.
AVA: Columbia Valley
Alcohol: 14.4%
Vintage:
The 2019 vintage was warm to hot overall but late snow added significant moisture to the soil in March and April. The early growing season was plagued by high mildew pressure and substantial canopy growth. The vineyards continued to push new growth well into the summer as many vineyards went without watering for significant periods of time. Fall was moderate although we had an early frost that affected a number of vineyards.
Wine:
The fruit was picked at night to maintain freshness. Once at the winery it was whole cluster pressed and then settled for 48hrs before being fermented and aged in a used French oak 300L barrel, this wine is influenced by the powerful Bordeaux whites that provide a vibrant showcase for Sauvignon Blanc with the ageability that barrel fermenting and aging provides.
Tasting note:
Primary notes of citrus blossoms, white peach and lemon crème. Swirling brings up hints of fresh herbs, citrus rind, white currants and white tea. The palate is polished and pithy with notes of citrus and peach pit carrying through the finish.
2019 L’ENTRATA – Chardonnay
30 cases produced – May 2022
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Aging: Barrel fermented and aged in a twice used Austrian 600L.
AVA: Columbia Valley
Alcohol: 14.1%
Vintage:
The 2019 vintage was warm to hot overall but late snow added significant moisture to the soil in March and April. The early growing season was plagued by high mildew pressure and substantial canopy growth. The vineyards continued to push new growth well into the summer as many vineyards went without watering for significant periods of time. Fall was moderate although we had an early frost that affected a number of vineyards.
Wine:
The fruit was picked at night to maintain freshness. Once at the winery it was whole cluster pressed and then settled for 48hrs before being fermented and aged in a twice used Austrian oak 600L barrel. The Chardonnay was aged in a 600L barrel to increase the freshness by reducing the oak to wine ratio while still allowing for the texture that is achieved through barrel fermenting and aging. Rather than stirring
the lees on this wine, the barrel is rolled upside down to allow the lees to fall through the wine increasing its natural texture and reducing any overly mature aromatics.
Tasting note:
Caramelized citrus, apricot and peach skin laced with alpine herbs, white tea and lightly toasted brioche. Swirling brings lychee, citrus crème brulee and candied lemon peel. The palate has good volume and vibrant acidity with a sense of polish and sophistication.