2016 Orogeny Vineyards Green Valley Pinot Noir

2016 Orogeny Vineyards Green Valley Pinot Noir

The crystalline, complex flavors of thr 2016 Orogeny Pinot Noir speak to the distinctive soils and microclimates of four tiny vineyards in the Russian River Valley.The sunny 2016 vintage intensified the wine’s fragrant ripe blackberry, blueberry and mulberry expression, while its notes of forest loam and redwood bark reflect the terroir. Warm spice nuances, from 40 percent new French oak barrels, lift the aromas and linger on the finish. Fine tannins and beautifully balanced acidity support the silky palate.

Matthew recommends this luscious Pinot Noir with grilled salmon over mashed potatoes with truffle oil, or smoky pork tenderloin with sage polenta.

Sonoma Countyis in Northern California. It’s known for the Sonoma Valley wine region, as well as other notable winemaking areas such as the Dry Creek and Alexander valleys. The city of Sonoma is home to the 19th-century Mission San Francisco Solano and the central, colonial-era Sonoma Plaza. Near Glen Ellen, Jack London State Historic Park contains the gravesite and cottage of the American author, plus many trails.

Sonoma County with Napa make up the two most important wine regions. Sonoma has its own feeling and energy, has a more laid back approach and makes definitely the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California. The best can rival the great Burgundy Chardonnays and Pinot Noir with their own personality. They tend to be richer and more fruit driven with tremendous complexity and length. Sonoma also makes tremendous Zinfandel and Zinfandel based blends. It has tremendous old vine vineyards that make these wines with incredible concentration and balance.

Pinot Noir, more than any other grape, reflects where it is grown. Orogeny pays tribute to the land with their name. Orogeny is a geological term that comes from Greek oro, “mountain,” and -geny, “birth.” It refers to the process during which the collisions and separations of the earth’s crust form mountains. A series of orogenic episodes in Sonoma County near the Pacific Ocean formed the mountains and streams that created Green Valley, the unique source for Orogeny Vineyard’s grapes.

They focus on cool-climate Pinot Noir from Green Valley, the coldest region of the famed Russian River Valley. Fog flows from the Pacific Coast along the Russian River and through the Petaluma Wind Gap, converging on this small area.

Orogeny’s grapes are grown on five small vineyards, each only five to ten acres, which were selected to display the bright fruit characteristics of classic Green Valley Pinot Noir. Their limited size permits Orogeny to use hands-on farming techniques. The vines are planted on ridges in Gold Ridge soils, a mix of sandy loam over sandstone and clay. These sites provide excellent drainage, which promotes even ripening and concentrated flavors.