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Red Electric releases 2018s, three Pinot Noirs, and for the first time ever, two Chardonnays

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#wine #chardonnay #pinotnoir #winery
Published
12/14/2020 by

Red Electric is an independent winery that makes wine from fruit grown at Armstrong Vineyard in the esteemed Ribbon Ridge AVA. Founded by noted winemaker John Grochau and Armstrong Vineyard owner Douglas Ackerman, the label was inspired by the vineyard’s exceptional fruit and a mutual love of the Ribbon Ridge region. Instead of selling the entire harvest to local wineries, as Ackerman had done the first five years of grape production, he found a great winemaking partner in his longtime friend Grochau. Together in 2015, the two teamed up to create balanced, beautiful, and intense wines that utilize and highlight all the sections of Armstrong Vineyard under one shared label, Red Electric. 

For the first time ever, Red Electric is releasing two unique Chardonnays with its 2018 vintage. Armstrong Vineyard grafted an acre over to Chardonnay (primarily the Mt. Eden clone, with scion wood from Cameron Winery’s Clos Electrique) with the first harvest in 2018. These vines were planted in 2007, so these are not terribly young vines at this point. The resulting Chardonnays are sleek, acid-driven styles of the varietal. The wine is bright, full of citrus and white floral notes, and a hint of saline. Grochau and Ackerman loved the floral notes so much that the flavors inspired the names, Alpine Lily and Evening Primrose. These are unique Chardonnays, given limited Mt Eden clone in Oregon, especially planted in the sedimentary soil of Ribbon Ridge.

The 2018 release also includes three Pinot Noirs, Interurban, The Pulse, and TGV. All wines at Red Electric are produced to let the vineyard express itself fully while maintaining freshness and energy in each wine. Grown in the Sedimentary soils of Ribbon Ridge, the wines naturally have a depth of blue-black pinot flavors that run from almost Nebbiolo like earthy and tarry notes to a robust blackberry and lavender profile.

All Red Electric grapes come from Armstrong Vineyard, in the respected Ribbon Ridge AVA of the Willamette Valley. Red Electric is able to use all sections of the vineyard to find optimal combinations of Pinot Noir clones and rootstock to assemble final blends. The vineyard has been farmed organically since 2013. Each year, grapes are harvested over several weeks in September and October, allowing variability in sugar concentration (brix), acid and tannin levels. 

At an elevation of 300-400 feet and with south and southwest slopes, Armstrong Vineyard was planted in 2007 on the classic, ancient sedimentary soils of the Willakenzie series found in Ribbon Ridge. Ribbon Ridge displays uncommonly consistent, fine-textured marine sedimentary soils. Pinot Noir clones at Armstrong Vineyard include Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon 114, 115, 667 and 777. In 2017, one acre was grafted over to Chardonnay (primarily Mt. Eden clone, with scion wood sourced from Cameron and Johan wineries).

Red Electric wines are crafted to transparently reflect terroir and vintage. The winemaking principles are moderate use of whole cluster fermentation when stems optimally lignified, limited use of new oak barrels, careful barrel selection to emphasize structure, native yeast fermentation, and acidulation only when necessary.

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