CARLTON HILL
2006 ESTATE PINOT NOIR
Based upon my Playboy magazine metaphor in last year’s newsletter, you got the clue that the 2006 vintage stood in sharp contrast to 2005. The yield in 2006 was approximately 2.2 tons to the acre and weather conditions were picture perfect right through harvest. All that these grapes required at crush was a proper finishing school. Now, after 11 months in barrel, this bevy is ready for its societal debut.
Initially, I was concerned that the 2006 vintage might turn out to be just another pretty face in the crowd. Instead, this wine would appear to combine the best of both worlds: beauty and brains. Certainly the most feminine wine the vineyard has produced to date, the 2006 Carlton Hill Estate Pinot Noir offers floral notes of violet and candied fruit combined with bright flavors of cranberry and wild black raspberry. The wine has a very soft mouth feel and finishes with subtle herbal notes of wood smoke and tobacco. Consistent with prior Carlton Hill vintages, the 06 Estate is wonderfully balanced and round, yet its overall structure and acidity cause the flavors to linger in the mouth well after your last sip.
While it seems each of you has a favorite vintage, I can say without hesitation that, at this early stage of development, the 2006 Estate Pinot Noir is the most pleasurable and refined Carlton Hill release to date. Utilizing 35% new French oak, 490 cases of this wine are available for purchase. As for the ‘06 Reserve, it will be released once again over the Memorial Day weekend.
I look forward to your impressions.
Most Sincerely,
David C. Polite
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Wine Advocate # 179
Oct 2008
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Jay Miller
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89
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Drink:
2008 - 2012
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$36 (36)
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The 2006 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton is medium ruby-colored with an expressive bouquet of spice box, smoke, black cherry, and black raspberry. This is followed by an easy-going, savory, ripe wine with good balance and an easy-going personality. Drink this tasty effort over the next four years.
www.carltonhillwines.com
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Northwest palate gave the Carlton Hill 2006 Estate a glowing review. It also received a rating of EXCELLENT from WinePress NW.
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