Impulse Gamay Noir, 2016

A summer red from Oregon. A refreshing blend of plum and black cherry in the mouth, with white flowers on the nose. Savoury herbs, cedar, peppery spice and a subtle earthiness add complexity, and begs for another sip.

Meet the maker: Stedt Wines

Region: Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon – USA

Grape(s): Gamay (100%)

12.5% ABV / 750ml / Vegetarian

Viticulture:

In the Eastern shadow of the Eola-Amity Hills, just close to the stop-sign intersection called Hopewell. The vineyard was planted by the Dauenhauer family in the 1980s as an extension of their other agricultural endeavours.

Soils here are deposits from the Missoula floods that filled the Willamette Valley during the last ice age.

This growing region is unique for the winds from the Van Duzer Corridor. Maritime influence cools off at night to aide in acid retention. Winds help to keep the vineyard canopy clean. Fruit clusters are smaller and the skins are thicker with high levels of tannin.

The vineyard is dry farmed by fourth generation farmers, Steve and Mary Walker without using herbicides. The Gamay block here is at 400ft with a southern aspect.

Winemaking:

The clusters were completely destemmed into half-ton, open-top, oak fermenters. 

A brief cold-soak period before fermentation was undertaken to build depth.

Regular manual pigeage was undertaken for cap extraction.

After a pressing to liberate the juice, the wine finished to dryness and settled clear.

Malolactic fermentation and ageing took place in neutral 500-litre puncheon barrels for seven months.