Evening Land, Seven Springs La Source Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon, 2021

Overview of the Wine
First and foremost, we are faithful stewards of the historic Seven Springs vineyard, planted by Oregon wine pioneer Al MacDonald in 1984. On this dramatic east-facing slope, in the iron-rich and rocky, volcanic soils of the Eola-Amity Hills, Al MacDonald planted what would become one of Oregon’s most recognized vineyards. Nestled against a forest of Douglas firs with views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson, it is immediately evident why Al chose this site.

Seven Springs’ eastern exposure absorbs warmth from the morning sun. The vineyard’s position opposite the windy Van Duzer Corridor mitigates hot, sunny afternoons in the Willamette Valley with ocean breezes. As valley temperatures increase throughout the day, warm air rises, replaced by cooling winds flooding in from the Pacific through the Van Duzer gap and across the vineyard. This daily cooling, along with our eastern aspect, affords our grapes the luxury of extended time on the vine.

Since its inception, Seven Springs has been dry farmed. The vineyard is LIVE certified and was converted to biodynamic viticulture in 2007. We continue to farm Seven Springs biodynamically, encouraging a healthy and sustainable ecosystem in the vineyard.

Biodynamic.

Grape / Blend
Pinot Noir

Origin
Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Grown at the rocky and windy crest of the vineyard, this wine communicates a sense of place more faithfully than any wine we make. The vines destined for La Source Pinot Noir come from Dijon clones rooted in shallow, rocky soils at the summit of Seven Springs. Strong ocean winds slow the ripening process and force the vines to push deeper into the earth. These challenging conditions yield fruit of the highest quality. 

Our wild yeast fermentation took place in upright Rousseau oak vats with about 30% whole clusters and employed daily pump-overs and gentle foot treading at the peak of fermentation.  The 2021 La Source was raised in neutral barrique (228L) and new puncheon (500L) for a rough average of 35% new oak. 

Vibrant, electric Pinot Noir with a purple tint and a nose to match, showing lilac, mountain blueberries, rain-soaked juniper and forest incense. Expansion and focus are here at every step and this wine says a lot with few words, the tannins a velvet ellipses that never quite ends its sentence. 

97 Points - Intl Wine Report

94 Points -Wine Spectator
Silky and fragrant, with gracefully complex cherry and tart blueberry flavors highlighted by forest floor, wet stone and black tea flavors. Ends with refined tannins. Drink now through 2032.

Product size: 750ml