Franchere Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

Zenith Vineyard sits in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Oregon's Willamette Valley, on marine sedimentary soils at elevations typical of the ridge (250–700 feet). Originally planted in 1982 as the O'Connor Vineyard, it was purchased by Tim and Kari Ramey in 2002 and replanted beginning in 2003. The site holds LIVE certification and is farmed without irrigation or herbicides. Wine Enthusiast named it one of five great Oregon vineyards worth knowing.

For the 2014 vintage, winemaker Mike Hinds sourced primarily from block 9-E — Pommard clone planted in 2006 — along with a small portion of 115 clone. Grapes were picked on September 14th. Hinds fermented with native yeasts only and used no new oak, no enzymes, no added tannins, colorants, water, or gums. Aging took place in neutral oak barrels.

The result is a Pinot Noir driven by site expression rather than winemaking intervention. The Eola-Amity Hills marine sedimentary soils and the afternoon cooling from the Van Duzer Corridor — which funnels Pacific air through a gap in the Coast Range — contribute to firm acidity, savory character, and a darker, earthier profile than many Willamette Valley counterparts. John Gilman reviewed this wine in View from the Cellar and described Franchere as a name to watch.

At 13.9% ABV this is a wine built for the table and the cellar. The 2014 vintage was Hinds' second commercial release, and the Zenith bottling scored 88 points from Wine Enthusiast.