Monks Gate produces Pinot Noir. (Photo by Geolink Wine.) |
Monks Gate produces Pinot Noir. (Photo by Geolink Wine.) |
Monks Gate is a 14 acre Estate vineyard grown sustainably. This view is looking southwest. (Photo by Geolink Wine.) |
View of the vineyard looking south. Pinot Noir clonal varieties include Dijon 777 & 667 and Pommard. (Photo courtesy of Maysara Winery.) |
Availability:
Where available in Humboldt: 2004 Pinot Noir 2004 Pinot Noir 2004 Pinot Noir 2005 Pinot Noir |
Monks Gate vines are dry farmed. In Oregon, rows are often tilled alternately to enhance moisture retention in the soil. (Photo by Geolink Wine.) |
Monks Gate
Carlton, Oregon
Monks Gate wines originate from its 14 acre vineyard about 10 miles east of Carlton, Oregon at an elevation of 260' to 440' within the Yamhill-Carlton appelation. The vines are hand tended and grown sustainably. Wine from Monks Gate is an exploration in terroir because it is all grown in a single soil type. Willakenzie soils are known in Oregon wine country to produce high quality fruit that translates into a finished wine that is rich and textured. Willakenzie soils are silty clay loams derived from sedimentary sandstone and shale beds that weathered readily in the Oregon climate to form deep soils. Clonal varities selected for this vineyard are Pinot Noir Pommard, Dijon 777, and Dijon 667 with a new planting of Riesling in 2007.
Monks Gate produces 325 - 400 cases a year under its own label and sells a lot of its fruit to other local wineries. The 2004 vintage consists of Pommard and Dijon 777 fruit. The aroma from this wine is floral and displays rose, cream, and cherry. A full fruity mid palate exhibits depth and balance that carries flavors of cherry, currant, and a hint of chocolate, some have described this wine as a cherry tootsie pop. The finish is rich and lingering. The 2005 vintage consists of Pommard, Dijon 777, and Dijon 667 fruit. The nose on this vintage displays earthiness, bringing out rich berry with a hint of leather. A creamy palate contains flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, rose, and cola. The lingering and refreshing finish keeps working long after the glass is empty.
The soil at Monks Gate is derived from sedimentary bedrock. It is so thoroughly weathered that there are no rocks to be found in the vineyard. The result is a deep silty clay loam knoen as Willakenzie soil. This is one of the two dominant soil types in Oregon wine country known for producing high quality Pinot Noir. (Photo by Geolink Wine.)
