375ml/HALF BOTTLE
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94 Points Vinous
Like cracking open an ashen stone to find a bevy of autumnal spices, incense, dried citrus peels and sage, the 2021 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard makes itself known in the glass. This is silky and enveloping, nearly weighty in feel, matched by depths of ripe red and blue fruits that swirl across a stream of tantalizing acidity. Sweet mineral tones form a crunchy sensation toward the close as the 2021 leaves the palate reeling with spicy tension, tapering off tannic yet fresh. If you choose to pop the 2021 today, make sure to give it a good decant to allow its aromatics to fully open.
 
93 Points Wine Enthusiast
Balanced and packed with lively acidity, the Freedom Hill will revive the most jaded palate. Its aromas of blackberries, cherry blossoms, wet stones and seared steak are a meal, followed by a main course of dark raspberry, bay leaf, blood orange, cedar flavors and velvety tannins. Enjoy with grilled portobellos.
 
93Points James Suckling
A generous, robust and super-concentrated red that’s alive in black-cherry flavors on a vivid, acid-driven texture. Moderate to full tannins and a full body add to the power and depth of this impressive wine from Mount Pisgah in Polk County.
 
Winemaker Notes
2021 began with a warm spring and a relatively early bloom, which was complete by the second week of June. A massive heat spell around June 27th head temperatures reaching up to 113 degrees. This significantly stunted growth in younger plants limiting their ability to ripen a normal crop. The younger vines at our estate essentially stopped growing as well as the Riesling at Temperance Hill. The summer continued with a heat spell in late June and mid-July. Because of these high temperatures, mildew was not a significant problem in 2021. We began picking Chardonnay on 9/13 and the first Pinot noir on 9/15. A slight rain event on September 18th and 19th brought much-needed moisture to the vines. By the 24th, all of the Chardonnay and most of the Pinot noir were picked. We finished picking in the first week of October, with the exception of the Riesling, which came in on 10/14. In the end, we were happy with the fruit and very thankful that there were no fires to complicate the harvest. 
 
Vineyard Notes
Freedom Hill Vineyard is located in the foothills of the Coast Range, 10 miles SW of Salem, Oregon. During the day warm air rises from the valley floor ripening the skins. At night, cool ocean breezes act to retain acidity. Planted on old sedimentary soils, the vines have a SW exposure at an elevation of 520’ to 580’. Our Pinot noir comes from two blocks, one planted in 2004 with Pommard and Wädenswil and one planted in 2008 with 777.