2022 Ken Wright Cellars Carter Vineyards Pinot Noir
Ken Wright left Lexington, Kentucky to study viticulture at UC-Davis in California. Ken crafted wine for eight years at Ventana Vineyards, Chalone and Talbott Vineyards in Monterey County. After Ken visited Dundee, Oregon he was destined to grow great Pinot Noir. In 1986 he moved to McMinnville, Oregon with his family and established Panther Creek Winery. By 1999, he founded his own namesake winery, Ken Wight Cellars in downtown Carlton, Oregon. He became recognized for his single-vineyard bottlings sourced from 13 different sites. In 2003, he would convert Carlton’s historic train station into the Ken Wright Cellars Tasting Room.
Carter Vineyard is a little over 24 acres planted in 1983 in rocky, volcanic soils within the
Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Medium garnet in color this youthful offering is captivating with a fragrant bouquet of field flowers and purple violets. The mouthfeel is generous and focused with black currants, macerated blueberries, savory spices and a dusting of cocoa. The warm fruits are concentrated with excellent weight on the mid-palate. This youthful single vineyard bottling maintains its balance through the finish with a dosage of lively acidity and integrated tannins that are built to age.
By W Peter Hoyne