Appassionata : "Fortissimo" Pinot Noir 2015

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the "Fortissimo" Pinot Noir 2015 from Appassionata

Tasting Notes

Nose
The bouquet is particularly vibrant and expressive. Thanks to its long ageing, it reveals a beautiful complexity marked by captivating tertiary aromas, accompanied by subtle earthy notes.

Palate
From the very first sip, this wine impresses with its great concentration and rich texture. The whole is perfectly balanced by a juicy acidity that brings plenty of freshness, leading to a harmonious and remarkably well-integrated finish.

Food and Wine Pairing
This mature and complex cuvée will beautifully complement delicate yet flavourful meats such as beef fillet, roast duck or feathered game. It will also pair wonderfully with dishes featuring wild mushrooms or truffles, roasted root vegetables, as well as soft, bloomy-rind cheeses.

Serving and Ageing Potential
The "Fortissimo" Pinot Noir 2015 is a cuvée designed to stand the test of decades. Released after resting in the cellar for at least ten years, it already offers superb maturity while retaining the structure needed to continue evolving favourably for many years to come.

A great American Pinot Noir revealing the elegance of the Willamette Valley by Appassionata

The Estate
Founded in 2005 by the renowned German winemaker Ernst Loosen, the Appassionata estate is located in the Chehalem Mountains, in the heart of Oregon. This 40-acre property was born from a desire to create European-style wines built for very long ageing. Today, Ernst Loosen, still the owner, works alongside winemaker Timothy Malone to produce exceptional cuvées. The Appassionata brand stands out for its unique philosophy: extended ageing and very late release to offer wines at their perfect maturity.

The Vineyard
The grapes come from the estate's own vineyard, located within the Chehalem Mountains appellation, at the heart of the renowned Willamette Valley. The vines thrive on soils composed of volcanic clay. The estate practises sustainable viticulture and strictly limits yields to guarantee optimal fruit quality.

The Vintage
The 2015 growing season began early. The climate remained warm for most of the year, which favoured excellent berry development. By the end of summer, cooler temperatures set in, helping to preserve the grapes' natural freshness and balance.

Winemaking and Ageing
To craft the "Fortissimo" Pinot Noir 2015, the grapes are entirely destemmed. Fermentation begins naturally with indigenous yeasts, followed by an unforced malolactic fermentation. This American wine is then aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 25% of which are new. It is bottled without fining or filtration, then rests in the cellar for a minimum of ten years before being released.

Grape Variety
Pinot Noir (100%)