Spell Weir Vineyard and the Yorkville Highlands AVA
(from Rusty Gaffney’s; Weir Vineyard: Getting to Know Winegrower Bill Weir and the Pinot Noirs from His Very Special Vineyard ) – a SUPER great article, and way worth your time to read it.
“Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir displays a number of enticing features including remarkable fruit purity and tension, mid palate richness, bright and mineral-driven acidity, and enough structural bones for age ability. A floral note tends to show up on the nose, and many wines have a savory component. All wines tend to improve over time in the glass with aeration. The most typical and distinguishing feature of every bottle that I have tasted can be summarized by a six-letter word: FINISH. The Weir Vineyard Pinot Noirs offer a finish of heightened intensity and uncommonly generous length which is the hallmark of great wine. It is often said that the feature that most distinguishes a Grand Cru Burgundy is the length of finish. Bill has said, “The deep personal involvement with growing these grapes has tremendously enriched our enjoyment of our lives. We think this will come through in the wine.” This is definitely true.”
Yorkville Highlands AVA
The Yorkville Highlands AVA, approved in 1998, is located in the southwestern corner of Mendocino County, between Sonoma County!s Alexander Valley to the South and Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley to the North. The region is 25 miles long, roughly in the shape of rectangle and bisected by Highway 128 which runs the length of the AVA. The region’s terrain is hilly and forested, with elevations ranging from 1,078 to 2,442 feet above sea level.
Watch the Williams Selyem video interview of Bill Weir
Accolades for the Spell 2014 Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir
94 Points; Prince of Pinot
Rochioli selection Pommard, 2A and a DRC selection. Aged in 33% new, 33% once-used and 33% older French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic, with scents of cherry, exotic spices and potpourri. Plenty of flavor is packed into the mid palate and finish of this mid weight, captivating wine that features black cherry and black raspberry fruits embellished with a deft touch of oak and a bit of umami. Structured tannins are slightly astringent at this early stage. The finish is one to celebrate, with extraordinary black cherry aromatic persistence. This zesty wine is cause for celebration.
92 Points; Washington Wine blog
2014 Spell ‘Weir Vineyard’ Pinot Noir-This bottling has rather intense aromas of cedar, red raspberry and stew berry preserves. There are ripe flavors of black raspberry, blackberry pie, red cherry and guava puree. Lithe and delicious wine. Drink 2016-2024
92 Points; Wine Enthusiast
Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition – GOLD MEDAL
Spell Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Yorkville Highlands | 125 cases produced
The Vineyard
The Weir Vineyard in the Yorkville Highlands is located on a south facing hillside of rocky gravely soils at an elevation that ranges between 850 and 1000 feet. Cool ocean air funnels up the Anderson Valley to regulate the ripening of the exceptional fruit from this vineyard.
Winemaker Notes
A touch more restrained than previous vintages this youthful Pinot requires some aeration to flesh out the dusty aromas of dried rose petals, leather, cocoa, tea leaf and red berry scents. Flavors of raspberry, cranberry and pomegranate mingle with clay earth, smoked meat and dark tea that leads to a lingering finished highlighted by a touch of citrus pith. Enjoyable now, but destined to aged exceptionally well. Drink now or over the next decade.
Vinification
Harvest Dates: September 8 and 11, 2014
Clones: Rochioli Pommard, 2A, and DRC
Oak: 100% French; 33% new, 33% once used and 33% older
Alc: 14.1%
Bottled: August 10, 2015
Cases Produced: 125
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