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1997 Domaine Pinot Noir

From: Wine On The Web, October 26, 2000

Best Values (A-Z)

King Estate Domaine Pinot Noir 1997

King Estate is Oregon's only major winery and is deservedly attracting a steadily increasing flow of media praise. Considering that its first wine was made in the 1992 vintage, the winery has made exciting progress. The building was constructed to last 200 years, and is situated on a prominent hill at 1,100 feet at Lorane near Eugene. King Estate has some 225 acres under vines and also buys grapes from other growers. Because Oregon has cooler climatic conditions than California, the fruit takes around 20 further days of hang-time to ripen. The results can be measured in elegance and style.

Of all the examples of King Estate wines we have tasted to date this Pinot Noir is the most stunning. The word ‘domaine’ implies that the wine has been pressed from the finest grapes in its own vineyards. The 1997 vintage provided ideal growing conditions, and though there was sporadic heavy rainfall during the harvest, the grapes were extremely healthy and free from rot. In fact King Estate realized that there the volume might be too high, and took the precaution of thinning the fruit in its vineyards on four occasions in order to reduce volume and increase the intensity of flavor. In other words long-term reputation was more important than short-term profits.

This wine displays a really deep garnet color and offers tempting raspberry and blackberry on the aroma with hints of vanilla, cedar and spice. Its complex and finely balanced palate displays some firm tannins: cherry, bramble and raspberry flavors tempered with oak and cloves fill the mouth with delicious fruit before leaving a long, satisfying finish. It is already beginning to drink well but has a long life ahead and will improve for up to 10 years, maybe longer.

Only 157 cases were made.