2009 Christopher Michael
Oregon Pinot Gris
Winemaker’s Notes
Site selection is so important in finding the best grapes. For us at Christopher Michael the Willamette Valley’s higher elevation climates show case what is possible for Pinot Gris. Harvest in mid October under blue skies, the 2009 vintage has produced some wonderful fruit.
The fruit was whole cluster pressed and settled for 24 hours before being racked into small stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Once the wine warmed to 50 degrees Fahrenheit the juice was inoculated with a selection of my favorite Pinot Gris yeast. Over the next 60 days the ferments filled the winery with beautiful aromatic esters of tropical fruits and white flowers. As the ferment made its final turn toward dryness we looked for the perfect point of balance between acid and sugar and cool the ferment in order to hold that moment in time. The wines were held on their gross lees until a week before bottling which occurred in June following harvest.
Tasting Notes
The Christopher Michael Pinot Gris opens with inviting aromas of pear, green apple, and peaches. The clean flavors of white peaches, nectarine, and lemon carry through the palate where the crisp acidity keeps the wine focused and refreshing.