2006 ROCO Pinot Noir (Private Stash)

The 2005 Private Stash is the fourth in a numbered series of single vineyard Pinot Noirs made exclusively from the Soles' Wits' End Vineyard. The Private Stash represents the best clones and barrel combination of each vintage.

The grapes are hand harvested and chilled to 35° F degrees before they are destemmed and placed in small open topped fermenters. Whole berry, cold macerated prior to vigorous fermentation and post ferment maceration. Wine is press into French oak barrels for malo-lactic fermentation. Eighteen months of barrel age later, the wine is bottled, packed and off to light up your palate. Released 09/08 in very limited quantity.

ROCO Wines - Oregon Pinot Noir

2006 ROCO Tasting Notes

The dark ruby color of the wine is an indication of the richness to come. A slow first inhale reveals a hint of strawberry, and then blackberry followed by the cinnamon and vanilla warmth that is typical of Wits End Vineyard. There also is an exciting interplay of deep red and black berry flavors, rich Mexican chocolate and an undertone of smokey raspberry. In the back of the mouth you get a nice hit of raspberry and a juicy finish. The texture is chunky with lasting fruit flavors. This wine will last.

He says, "Mother Nature, best crop and winemaking all aligned perfectly to produce perhaps ROCO's best balanced Private Stash yet. The nose reveals cinnamon, deep dark blackberry and cherry, and a touch of forest floor earthiness. It has a sultry rich, creamy, juiciness. Cinnamon and black cherry flavors prevail in the mouth with a hint of cedar and a long, long rich ripe fruit finish and a razor's edge of cobblestone."

She says, "The color is dark black red. On inhale there is a deep blackberry nose with essences of cinnamon, bergamot, and black cherries. On the palate this wine is robust; a powerhouse of deep flavors (black cherry and berry, a bit of vanilla and black pepper) balanced by a velvety richness in texture. The wine has a great finish; balanced acid and fruit, and continuing nuances of flavor that keep on revealing the depth and potential of this incredible 06 Private Stash."

$75.00 per bottle. 15% discount for 12+ bottles.
Very Limited Quantities. ** Limit two bottles per household/person.

2006 Private Stash - Wine Spectator Insider - 94 Points

"Soft and fragrant, this is remarkable for its silky texture and seamless structure. Pretty strawberry and currant fruit pulse gently at the core, shading toward white pepper as the open-textured finish lingers elegantly." - Harvey Steiman

2006 Private Stash - Wine Advocate - 92 Points

"The 2006 Pinot Noir Private Stash is dark ruby with aromas of mineral, damp earth, cedar, spice box, and assorted red and black fruits. This leads to a concentrated, mouth-filling wine which is also quite elegant, no mean feat in 2006. Drink both of these outstanding Pinot Noirs over the next 6-8 years." - JM

The Winemaker's 2006 Vintage Notes

The 2006 vintage was the warmest growing season Oregon had experienced since 1992. By mid May the temperatures were already creeping up into the 90's and remained in the 80's-90 through much of September. Phenomenal! ROCO's Wits' End Vineyard sits on the SW facing slope of the Chehalem Mountains and catches the cool evening breezes coming in from the Oregon coast, offering relief from the hot days. Great weather tricked the vines into setting a big crop. Not to be fooled, we removed 50% of the crop in early August to further concentrate the finished wine. While there was a short week of drizzle in early September that threatened to ruin a perfect crop - we were fortunate enough to harvest the grapes at their perfection the day before the rains fell. ROCO was picked on September 16 at peak flavor ripeness and in bright sunshine conditions.

ROCO Wines - Oregon Pinot Noir