2006 Nuthouse Pinot Noir
Oregon Pinot Noir
Lone Star Vineyard
Willamette Valley
750ml bottles
2006 Nuthouse Pinot Noir Tasting Notes
This is our Classic "big furniture" Pinot Noir style derived from Lone Star Vineyard. Its melanite color is the first indicator of its boldness. The aroma is black cherry reduction fruit, black licorice, Earl Grey spices, and that luscious, fresh earth quality that says "Nuthouse". The flavors are big, juicy black cherry and black plum pudding spices. The texture forms a rich, creamy center to this richly ripe Pinot Noir. The ripe plum and cherry fruit carry on and on. It is a wonderful thing to experience such powerful, exotic Pinot Noir yet wonder at its bright, balanced, mineral pinpoint touch twirling on the palate.
2006 Nuthouse Pinot Noir Production Notes
The 2006 vintage was a very comfortable vintage with very little drama. Spring brought plenty of sunshine and heat to set an extraordinarily large crop. This is quite a contrast to 2004 and 2005 poor fruit set vintages. 2006 had the third highest heat units since 1983. Interestingly, the top 5 heat summations include three years in this new millennium. Has our transition into the 'New Millennium' led to warmer summers?
Wine Scores and Reviews for Nuthouse Pinot Noir
- 2006: Wine Advocate 92 "The 2006 Pinot Noir Nuthouse reflects the opulence so easily achievable in the problem-free 2006 vintage. Dark ruby-colored, this is a large-scaled, full-bodied Pinot with gobs of flavor and a voluptuous, sexy personality. Enjoy it over the next 6-8 years. -JM"
- 2006: Wine Spectator 92 "Smooth and spicy, with a floral edge to the plum and cinnamon flavors, nicely integrated and lingering nicely against refined tannins. Drink now through 2014. -HS"
- 2006: SF Chronicle Top 100 "Winemaker Rollin Soles sources his top Chardonnay from the Knudsen Vineyard, also the site of his single-vineyard sparkling wine. A richer style that models its Oregon elegance, with seamless oak that helps define the creamy texture. Bright and lively, with ripe pear, green apple skin, lemon peel and a mineral-driven finish."
- 2005: Wine Advocate 94 "The Nuthouse cuvee is released a year behind the other Pinots. The 2005 Pinot Noir Nuthouse is one of the major successes of a challenging vintage. It has a slightly aged appearance and is exhibiting an alluring perfume of spice, red fruits, and blueberry. On the mid-palate it has a wide band of fruit atypical for 2005. It has the structure of the vintage so it may well evolve for 4-5 years and drink well through 2020. It is a home run for the vintage."
- 2005: Wine Spectator 93 "Bright, effusive and generous with its raspberry, red cherry, nutmeg and cream flavors, lingering impressively on the polished finish. This jumps out of the glass, not for its size or any single element, but for its seamlessness and focus. Drink now through 2013. - HS"
