2021 Sidekick Cuvee Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley AVA
Tasting Notes:
A small production Pinot Noir with juicy blueberry and raspberry as main fruit elements. This special blend has layers of fruit, spice, and a touch of cedary oak.
The Sidekick Cuvee:
The Sidekick Cuvee is 100% northern Willamette Valley fruit. This includes smaller lots of Pinot Noir fruit grown by trusted partners and blended by our talented Winemaker Heather Perkin. By selecting fruit just a handful of these wonderful growers we're able to produce a small-production Willamette Valley Pinot Noir for all our club members and fans who discover our delicious Pinot Noirs! Vintage after vintage the Sidekick Cuvee overdelivers in both value and complexity.
The 2021 Vintage:
The 2021 vintage was an exceptional year. The timing of weather events was key to our success in 2021. We experienced a bit of rainfall during bloom which helped to lower yields by producing some hens and chicks (variable-sized berries). Then a historic heat event happened during late June which brought worrisome temperatures at a time that luckily did not result in any damage to our grape crop. Growth resumed normally once temperatures cooled with average heat from July through September bringing even ripening to the plentiful small, loose clusters. For 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.