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Roads End Oregon Pinot Noir

• Reviews
• About the Roads End wines
• Tasting notes

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Our first offering and our celebrated flagship wine, Roads End has garnered accolades and developed a dedicated following in Oregon and beyond. It has been recognized and selected by:

• Wine Spectator magazine
• Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
• Oregon Wine Awards
• Portland Indie Wine Festival
• Oregon Pinot Noir Club

The 2002 vintage received an outstanding 92 points from Wine Spectator (June 30, 2004) and hit the top 10 in Wine Spectator reviewer Harvey Steiman's Recommended Oregon Wines list.

And again in 2008, Steiman gave the 2006 vintage 90 points, qualifying it as "Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style." (WS Dec. 15, p.149) He writes:

"Smooth and refined, with some power in reserve behind the cherry and dark berry flavors, picking up a black olive note as the finish sails along. Drink now through 2014. 600 cases made."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate concurred, giving the 2006 Roads End a 90-point score that identifies it as "An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines." Dr. Jay Miller writes in his October, 2008 review:

"The 2006 Pinot Noir Roads End spent 10 months in French oak. Medium/dark ruby-colored, it reveals an attractive perfume of cedar, black cherry, and black raspberry. This leads to a layered, smooth-textured wine with plenty of sweet fruit, good balance, and a medium-long finish. Drink it over the next four years."

But the greatest compliment is your response: each year, we just can't keep Roads End on the shelves. In fact, the only vintage available is generally the latest release. Unless you can find a retailer who has one of the earlier releases tucked away (they are out there), or you're lucky enough to know a connoisseur who had the discipline to hide a bottle or two, those older vintages are history (maybe even legend).

Happily, the latest is one of the greatest, and you can still get it.

About the Roads End wines

Pinot Noir is all about terroir. In this case, the distinct layering of flavors is due to both the variable climate and the combination of volcanic and sedimentary soils found in the vineyards that contribute the grapes for this wine. Roads End is distinguished as a triple-vineyard Pinot Noir. The selection of vineyards varies across years, chosen to bring just the right balance of volcanic and sedimentary influences, and the particular character of the vines, as expressed in a given vintage.

Our goal with Roads End is to produce an Oregon Pinot Noir with its own distinct signature, and the character to reflect each vintage.

Tasting Notes

• 2008 vintage
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001

Roads End 2008

Our second vintage produced entirely at our own new winery facility. Because 2008 was a phenomenal year in the Willamette Valley, this is a phenomenal vintage.

• vineyards: Nysa, Meredith Mitchell, Russell-Grooters
• yield: 288 cases
• availability: current (Thanksgiving 2009 release)

Nysa vineyard in the Dundee Hills was planted in 1990 with ownrooted Pommard and Wadenswil. Its Jory soils bring a mix of red and black fruit to the nose.

Meredith Mitchell vineyard, owned and operated by Susan Meredith and Frank Mitchell, lies southwest of McMinnville in the coastal foothills. Its basaltic bedrock lies just 20–30" below the soil surface. The vineyard yields intense and structured wines from small clusters and berries.

Russell-Grooters vineyard, our own estate vineyard planted on well-drained Wellsdale sedimentary soils, makes its second appearance in the 2007 Roads End. First planted in 2003, it features 777 Dijon on Riparia Gloire rootstock, and Wädenswil and 828 Pommard on both 3309 and 101-14 rootstocks. These vines contribute bright, intense fruit notes all the way from blueberry and black cherry to plum and cassis.

> Download Roads End 2008 technical data as a printable PDF.

Roads End 2007

Our first vintage produced entirely at our own new winery facility.

• vineyards: Nysa, Meredith Mitchell, Russell-Grooters
• yield: 740 cases
• availability: limited

Nysa vineyard in the Dundee Hills was planted in 1990 with ownrooted Pommard and Wadenswil. Its Jory soils bring a mix of red and black fruit to the nose.

Meredith Mitchell vineyard, owned and operated by Susan Meredith and Frank Mitchell, lies southwest of McMinnville in the coastal foothills. Its basaltic bedrock lies just 20–30" below the soil surface. The vineyard yields intense and structured wines from small clusters and berries.

Russell-Grooters vineyard, our own estate vineyard planted on well-drained Wellsdale sedimentary soils, makes its second appearance in the 2007 Roads End. First planted in 2003, it features 777 Dijon on Riparia Gloire rootstock, and Wädenswil and 828 Pommard on both 3309 and 101-14 rootstocks. These vines contribute bright, intense fruit notes all the way from blueberry and black cherry to plum and cassis.

> Download Roads End 2007 technical data as a printable PDF.

< tasting notes top

Roads End 2006

The warm 2006 vintage brought out bold, opulent Pinot flavors hearkening to the 2003 Roads End in its intensity and depth. We are especially proud of this vintage, as it is the first to feature grapes from our own estate vineyard, Russell-Grooters.

The response to this wine has been simply sensational. If you like your Pinots big and lush, a case of this spectacular '06 will fit very nicely in your cellar.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave this vintage 90 points, qualifying it as "An outstanding wine." See Dr. Jay Millers October 2008 review at top of this page.

The intense, prominent fruit is elegantly balanced by spritely acids and soft, silky tannins, extending in a long, smooth finish that brings out the darker fruits. This is a delightful wine for tasting on its own, but with the character to complement savory dishes.

• vineyards: Canary Hill, McCrone, Russell-Grooters
• yield: 600 cases
• availability: still limited availability due to an order that had to be canceled by our Houston distributor in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike

Canary Hill vineyard, located in the southern Eola Hills AVA on volcanic soils, is a vineyard of ownrooted Pommard clone. Planted in the early 80’s, its fruit yields rich, forward cherry and cola notes.

McCrone vineyard, north of Carlton city in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, is on marine sedimentary soils providing deep color and darker fruit.

Russell-Grooters vineyard, our own estate vineyard planted on well-drained Wellsdale sedimentary soils, makes its début in the 2006 Roads End. Our young, fourth-leaf vineyard adds bright, intense fruit notes all the way from blueberry and black cherry to plum and cassis.

> Download Roads End 2006 technical data as a printable PDF.

< tasting notes top

Roads End 2005

Like the legendary '02, this rich, complex 2005 derived its character from a longer, cooler growing season. With its tamer acids, enjoy this one sooner rather than later.

• vineyards: Canary Hill, McCrone, Nysa
• yield: 500 cases
• availability: sold out (certain retailers may still have it)

Canary Hill vineyard, located in the southern Eola Hills AVA on volcanic soils, is a vineyard of ownrooted Pommard clone. Planted in the early 80’s, its fruit yields rich, forward cherry and cola notes.

McCrone vineyard, north of Carlton city in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, is on marine sedimentary soils providing deep color and darker fruit.

Nysa vineyard in the Dundee Hills was planted in 1990 with ownrooted Pommard and Wadenswil. Its Jory soils bring a mix of red and black fruit to the nose.

< tasting notes top

Roads End 2004

A challenging Oregon year meant lower yields, but produced some of the highest rated wines for winemakers throughout the Willamette Valley. True to its vintage, the '04 Roads End has a less flashy, but strapping, bucolic elegance.

• vineyards: Canary Hill, McCrone, Nysa
• yield: 500 cases
• availability: sold out (certain retailers may still have it)

Canary Hill vineyard, located in the southern Eola Hills AVA on volcanic soils, is a vineyard of ownrooted Pommard clone. Planted in the early 80’s, its fruit yields rich, forward cherry and cola notes.

McCrone vineyard, north of Carlton city in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, is on marine sedimentary soils providing deep color and darker fruit.

Nysa vineyard in the Dundee Hills was planted in 1990 with ownrooted Pommard and Wadenswil. Its Jory soils bring a mix of red and black fruit to the nose.

< tasting notes top

Roads End 2003

A hot, standout year in the valley, 2003 produced an intensely ripe, fruity Roads End — a big, powerful Pinot drinking today like an older, wiser cousin of the stellar 2006. It gives us an idea of how the '06, a fantastic and durable young wine, will develop in the coming years.

• vineyards: Canary Hill, McCrone, Nysa
• yield: 500 cases
• availability: sold out (certain retailers may still have it)

Canary Hill vineyard, located in the southern Eola Hills AVA on volcanic soils, is a vineyard of ownrooted Pommard clone. Planted in the early 80’s, its fruit yields rich, forward cherry and cola notes.

McCrone vineyard, north of Carlton city in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, is on marine sedimentary soils providing deep color and darker fruit.

Nysa vineyard in the Dundee Hills was planted in 1990 with ownrooted Pommard and Wadenswil. Its Jory soils bring a mix of red and black fruit to the nose.

< tasting notes top

Roads End 2002

It was the perfect year, all along Willamette Valley wine country. A long, consistent summer — bright but not too hot — eased into an idyllic, cool fall. The rains held off, letting the grapes take their sweet time to ripen beautifully.

The '02s were stellar all around, and Roads End 2002 put Carlton Cellars on the map, scoring 92 Wine Spectator points and putting us in the top 10 in Wine Spectator reviewer Harvey Steiman's Recommended Oregon Wines list.

This is wine is drinking perfectly in 2008, if you're lucky enough to have some in your library.

• vineyards: Canary Hill, McCrone, Nysa
• yield: 500 cases
• availability: sold out (certain retailers may still have it)

Canary Hill vineyard, located in the southern Eola Hills AVA on volcanic soils, is a vineyard of ownrooted Pommard clone. Planted in the early 80’s, its fruit yields rich, forward cherry and cola notes.

McCrone vineyard, north of Carlton city in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, is on marine sedimentary soils providing deep color and darker fruit.

Nysa vineyard in the Dundee Hills was planted in 1990 with ownrooted Pommard and Wadenswil. Its Jory soils bring a mix of red and black fruit to the nose.

< tasting notes top

Roads End 2001

We'll always have a fondness for this, our first Roads End. The product of an unusual year — cooler, with modest ripeness — this is an intriguing, elegant, lighter-bodied wine. Our founding vintage is heading toward its finale, a grand old wine to savor in the next year or so if you have it.

• vineyards: Canary Hill, Guadalupe, Shea
• yield: 400 cases
• availability: sold out (unlikely to be in stock anywhere)

Canary Hill vineyard, located in the southern Eola Hills AVA on volcanic soils, is a vineyard of ownrooted Pommard clone. Planted in the early 80’s, its fruit yields rich, forward cherry and cola notes.

Guadalupe vineyard was planted in 1989 with the Wadenswil clone. Its Willakenzie soil — shallow and well-drained over siltstone — is transitional between the Jory of the Dundee Hills and the sedimentary soil of the Yamhill-Carlton District, contributing black fruits, cocoa, leather and earth

Shea vineyard, in the Yamhill-Carlton District, is planted with the Pommard, Dijon 114, and 777 clones. Blueberry, spice and earth arise from the vineyard's sedimentary Goodin and Melbourne soils.

< tasting notes top