By Van Duzer Vineyards
2017 Pinot Noir Dijon Blocks

Wine Details
Vineyards: 100% Van Duzer Vineyards
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Clones: 40% Dijon 115, 30% Dijon 113, 30% Dijon 777

The Vineyards
After a normal spring with optimum temperature and rainfall, nature decided to test our nerves with a dry, warm summer and a handful of heat spikes. Toward the end of July, the Willamette Valley was surrounded by wildfires. The layer of smoke worked in our favor by shielding the clusters and preventing sunburn. Luckily, the timing of smoke did not lead to smoke taint in our fruit or finished wine. As harvest concluded, mild temperatures allowed us to craft wines with balanced alcohol, acidity, and intense aromatic expression. Optimally ripe clusters were picked through the early cold morning hours by hand from Sept 27th to Oct 14th.

Winemaking
The Dijon block blend is an exciting process for our winemaking team. It allows them to assemble different clones to craft a complex wine, balancing aromatics and structure. Each clone was fermented separately into single lots to maximize individuality and gently handled throughout the harvest and winemaking process to preserve varietal and quality expression. Small amounts of whole-cluster fruit were left intact in the fermenters to add subtle and complex layers of spices to the finished wine. Twice daily punchdowns were reduced toward the end of fermentation to achieve a balanced structure.

Tasting Notes
The nose displays layers of dark red fruit ranging from Bing cherry to blackcurrant, vibrating against sensual floral notes of rose petals. Complex notes of earthy forest floor and fresh mushroom contrast jasmine black tea and woody cedar notes. Licorice stick and spicy notes from whole-cluster fermentation bring refinement and nobility to the bouquet. A luscious entry leads to a bright mid-palate with firm and silky tannins. The juicy and lengthy finish displays mouthwatering cherry notes and layers of spices melting around savory flavors of Graham crackers, brown sugar, and cola.

Technical Analysis
TA: 5.7 g.L-1
pH: 3.41
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

Van Duzer Vineyards 2017 Pinot Noir Dijon Blocks
Rating: 93
Van Duzer Corridor, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Red wine from United States
Drinking window: 2022 - 2029
Deep scarlet. Vibrant, spice-accented red and blue fruits, pungent flowers and exotic spices on the highly perfumed nose; smoky mineral and licorice nuances emerge as the wine opens up. Appealingly sweet boysenberry, raspberry and cherry cola flavors smoothly blend power and delicacy and show no rough edges. The cola and floral notes come back strong on an impressively persistent finish framed by polished, even tannins.
Josh Raynolds. Tasting date: July 2020

2017 Van Duzer Pinot Noir Dijon Block
Producer: Van Duzer
From: USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Color: Red
Type: Table
Sweetness: Dry
Variety: Pinot Noir
Rating: 86
Reviewed by: Erin Brooks
Issue Date: 23rd Apr 2020
Source: April 2020 Week 4, The Wine Advocate
Release Price: $60
Drink Date: 2020 - 2022
The 2017 Pinot Noir Dijon Block has a bright red berry character with notes of charcuterie, earth and potpourri. It's light-bodied with tart fruits, a soft frame and juicy acidity on the finish.