Ken Wright Cellars Auric Pinot Noir
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, half of this vineyard was planted in 2010 and the other half was planted in 2014.
- 18 acres in size, this site sits at an elevation of 400 – 450 ft, on East/South-east inclination, with soils consisting of ancient marine sediments. The artwork on this label recognizes the original cherry orchard planting on the vineyard property.
- The meaning of the word Auric, is “containing gold” or “the aura surrounding a living thing.” Wine is indeed a living thing. With the purchase of a single bottle, magnum or six pack, the wine will be delivered in a beautiful wooden box.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Elaboration: Each vintage, Ken meticulously tastes every barrel in the cellar before creating the final bottlings. There are a few barrels that he feels are stunningly beautiful. These barrels are reserved for Auric Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes: Floral and spice focused. Juicy and plush with dried blueberry, black cherry, marionberry and hints of warm spices- nutmeg & cardamom.
PRESS
2019 – 92 Wine Enthusiast
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
The seed for a career in wine was planted squarely in Bourbon country of Lexington, Kentucky. While waiting tables to put himself through school, Ken was exposed to fine wines from regions around the world. The passion became avocation when Ken left the Bluegrass State to attend enology and viticulture classes at UC-Davis. Eight years were spent winemaking for Ventana Vineyards, Chalone and Talbott Vineyards in Monterey County of California’s central coast.
Friends from the Willamette Valley piqued Ken’s interest in the region when they would visit, and a trip to the Dundee Hills in 1976 convinced him that this was where the finest Pinot noir in North America was being grown. In 1986, with family, belongings and 10 barrels in tow, Ken moved to McMinnville and started Panther Creek Cellars.
His concept of focusing on vineyard-designate bottling began during those years at Panther Creek and was cemented as a core philosophy in 1994 when Ken Wright Cellars was founded in historic downtown Carlton. Ken now makes a single vineyard bottling from 13 vineyard sites in the Northern Willamette Valley. Given his appreciation of sense of place, it was a given that Ken would contribute to the locations and industry near and dear to his heart. Instrumental in organizing the six new American Viticultural Area (AVA)’s in the Northern Willamette Valley that define in detail the distinct growing areas within the region, he wrote the proposition for the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and served as the association’s first President.