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Drouhin Oregon Roserock
Pinot Noir Zéphirine
Service
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Cellaring
Optimum consumption: 8 to 10 years
Ageing potential: 15 years
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Tasting temperature
16°C (61-62°F)
Grape variety
Pinot Noir
Vineyard
Roserock is an extraordinary vineyard at the southern tip of the Eola-Amity Hills, in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Ancient volcanic soils, an ideal elevation range and the unique cooling effect of the Van Duzer corridor produce classic cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Roserock is LIVE-certified sustainable.
Tasting
by Véronique Boss-Drouhin
Zéphirine brings new ideas to mind. The colour flashes in the glass like the gemstone red apatite, or maybe even the Triumph Ronaldo variety of tulip when in full bloom. The nose is alluring like blackberry bramble and bilberry and eventually folds into white pepper and stone. These deep, beautifully defined aromatics set the stage for a complex and layered explosion of flavors, full of deft balance and precision. Silky smooth, with a poised structure, this is an excellent selection for long-term ageing.
Vintage
The 2022 growing season began with great optimism. After a reasonable winter, bud break started in early April, right on schedule. Then, an unprecedented arctic air mass swept in, bringing snowfall, below-freezing temperatures, and the first-ever frost to impact our vineyards. Subsequent cool and damp conditions over the next few months caused sluggish vine growth, putting us 2-4 weeks behind by June. Mercifully, Mother Nature bestowed abundant sunshine and higher-than-average temperatures on us as harvest approached, resulting in a gentle conclusion to the season and excellent fruit ripeness. While the Pinot Noir crop volumes were lower than usual, the quality of the fruit was exceptional - a compromise that we gladly accept!
Winemaking
Our Zéphirine Pinot Noir is a barrel selection cuvée from the Roserock vineyard, and is a reference expression of the site. Zéphirine conveys purity and beauty, reflects winemaker Véronique Boss-Drouhin’s dedication to elegance and finesse, and will age meaningfully for years to come. The name refers to the Zéphirine Drouhin variety of climbing rose, which is known for its fragrance and beauty.