About Oregon Pinot
noir page 2 Oregon Pinot noir Flavor Descriptors Chart
Here is a chart used at the UC Davis Dept of Enology and Viticulture to train
students to describe the aromas and flavors of Pinot noir.
if you maintain a notebook of tasting notes, this is a useful chart to have on
hand when attempting to capture the particular characteristics of an Oregon Pinot
noir in words.
If you are
into Oregon Pinot noir, you have heard winemakers
refer to different clones of the Pinot noir plant.
Here are some of the most frequently planted
clones, along with more info than you probably
want about them. Study these charts and you will
impress your friends and perhaps nurture a budding
career as a vineyard manager!
Pinot noir Clone 113
IDENTIFICATION
Variety:
Average Pinot
Origin: MOREY ST DENIS (Cote dOr)
Selection Centre: I.N.R.A.COLMAR Pathology
Date of Approval: 1971
DESCRIPTION
Morphological
and vegetative characteristics.
Bud
growth: cottony, bronzed or lightly rosy.
Young pale leaves. Jagged
Adult leaf: often trilobate, slightly open petiolar
sinus, average bullate blade on an even profile,
short teeth on convex sides.
Branch: purplish
Habit: drooping needs early tying
Cluster: small to average, stepped or winged, averagely
compact with a short stalk, lignified.
Berry: small, spherical or short elliptical shape,
varying size.
Earliness: Bud burst = average Flowering = average
Ripening of grapes = early.
PRODUCTION
LEVELS
Fertility: average,
sometimes irregular: 1.3 - 2.20 Cluster
weight: average
60 100 gms Production: average sometimes
below the
annual
yield if
it fails
to set
fruit or
if there
is an uneven
number
development
of berries
on the
bunch (millerandage) may
vary approx.
10% compared
to 115. Sugar
level:above
average,
equivalent
to
0.5
degrees. Total
acidity: average
or
very
slightly
high. Susceptibility
to
grey
mould: average
despite
its
earliness. Organoleptic
characteristics
of
the
wine: clear
and
strong
colour,
fine
floral:
bouquet
typical
of the
Pinot.
Balanced
in
the
mouth.
Slightly
masked tannins designed
for
average
keeping. Class
of
wine: average
or
leading
group.
INDICATION
OF USE
Type
of clone: average to high sugar levels,
early, good quality level, a sufficient
but sometimes irregular yield.
Pruning: Guyot system production may be regularised
by careful bud removal or pruning.
Locations: high success in good Pinot soils where
it can complement the 115 clone with its sharpness
of aroma. Avoid conditions that favour vigour.
Oversee the choice of rootstock.
Pinot Noir Clone 114
IDENTIFICATION
Variety: Average
Pinot Origin: MOREY ST DENIS (Cote dOr) Selection centre: I.N.R.A
COLMAR Pathology Date
of Approval: 1971
DESCRIPTION
Morphological and vegetative
characteristics
Bud growth: cottony, bronzed,
lightly rosy. Young leaves are very jagged.
Adult leaf: five lobes, deep lateral sinuses, slightly open petiolar
sinus, dark green blade, heavily bullate, lightly crinkled, a twisted
profile and revolute edges.
Branch: purplish on the sun side.
Habit: quite droopy early tying is recommended.
Cluster: small and compact lignified stalk.
Berry: small, spherical or elliptical, short, size varies. Uneven development
of the berries on the bunch (millerandage) during cold spring is normal.
Earliness: bud burst = average. Flowering = average. Ripening of grapes
= early.
PRODUCTION
LEVELS
Fertility:
average, high for its type: 1.4 2.0
Cluster weight: average 60 90 gms
Production: average and close to the reference yield ( 5 to 15% below
115)
Sugar level: high, in the order of 0.7 degrees above the average.
Total acidity: average remains high despite earliness
Susceptibility to grey mould: average
Organoleptic characteristics of the wine: strong colour with a purplish
hue, rich aroma, tannic, good structure in the mouth, balanced and
appropriate for keeping.
Class of Wine: leading group
INDICATION
OF USE
Type
of clone: average production, high sugar content, early,
good quality, sufficient yield good specificity.
Pruning: Guyot system short prunes ( fan, cordon ) may be performed
with good results.
Locations: grows well in Pinot locations where it is associated with
the success of Clone 115 try to strictly master the vigour.
Pinot noir Clone 115
IDENTIFICATION
Variety:
average Pinot
Origin: MOREY ST DENIS (Cote d'Or)
Selection centre: I.N.R.A. COLMAR Pathology
Date of Approval: 1971
DESCRIPTION
Morphological and vegetative
characteristics
Bud Growth: very cottony,
bronzed, lightly rosy (important tendrils)
Adult leaf: average size, jagged, often with five lobes and deep lateral
sinuses, slightly undulating blade, crinkled, averagely bullate with
an involute profile and revolute edges, teeth have convex on straight
lines.
Branch: a red colour with purplish nodes.
Habit: slightly droopy easy to tie if carried out early enough.
Cluster: small to average, spherical or short elliptical shape, colourful,
quite pruinose
Earliness: bud burst = average leaves remain small during cold springs
Flowering = average to early good fruit setting
Ripening of grapes = early, homogenous
PRODUCTION
LEVELS
Fertility:
average: varies from 1.2 to 1.9 depending on the year and
the growing conditions
Cluster weight: average 70 90 gms
Production: situated in the average reference yield.
Sugar level: above average: potentially by 0.5 degrees.
Total acidity: below average with a higher pH level.
Susceptibility to grey mould: average despite its earliness.
Organoleptic characteristics of the wine: strong colour with purplish
hues, superior bouquet, elegant rich aromas typical of its type, a
hint of small fruits, well structured, tannic, long, suitable for keeping.
Class of wine: leading group.
INDICATION
OF USE
Type
of clone: average production, rich sugar content, early,
good quality, regular and sufficient yield, good ability
to adapt take care of the soil.
Pruning: the Guyot system is best but a shorter cut (fan or cordon)
can be practiced in certain conditions (early planting, high-quality
vineyards - to enhance its qualitative potential.
Locations: It is particularly good in Pinot locations (chalky soil gravel
or stones, well drained with good exposure). In a lesser grade soil
(rich and deep soil, favourable exposure, high altitude) with a close
check on vigour (choice of rootstock, manure and bud-load) it will
produce a reasonable quality wine. This clone has varying base (35
to 60%) that gives a quality production, good in quality areas, regional
or local appellations.
Pinot noir Clone 375
IDENTIFICATION
Variety:
fructiferous
Origin: ST-DENIS-DE-VAUX (Saone-et-Loire)
Selection centre: A.N.T.A.V.
Date of approval: 1974
DESCRIPTION
Morphological and vegetative
characteristics
Bud growth:
Adult leaf: often entire, mid-green blade, involute, slightly bullate
and crinkled, very little pigment in the veins.
Branch:
Habit: only slightly droopy, bushy
Cluster: average, stepped, compact, and solidly structured.
Berry: small to average, size varying according to compactness.
Earliness: ripening of grapes=early to average
PRODUCTION
LEVELS
Fertility:
20% above the average (generally always 2 clusters but
also some double basal buds).
Cluster weight: above average 70-110 gms
Production: at least 40% above the reference yield with the Guyot cut.
Sugar level: very slightly below the average and very influenced by
return
Total acidity: equal or very slightly above average (=0.15g/l)
Susceptibility to grey mould:
Organoleptic characteristics of the wine: average colour strength,
quality aromas, elegant, fruity. Balanced structure, supple, limited
keeping only.
Class of wine: average
INDICATION
OF USE
Type
of clone: elevated and regular yield, very fertile produces
wines to drink that are younger than those destined for
prolonged keeping.
Pruning: avoid the Guyot system. A short cut is preferred (cordons
with spurs and one well-developed bud). Bud removal is necessary. Thinning
is often appropriate.
Locations: It will suit regional appellations. Associated with other
less productive selections. With a limit of 30% it could pass for a
Pas-tout-grains. In all cases try to limit yield.
Pinot noir Clone 667
IDENTIFICATION
Variety:
average Pinot
Origin: MOREY ST DENIS (Cote dOr)
Selection centre: A.N.T.A.V
Date of Approval: 1980
DESCRIPTION
Morphological
and vegetative characteristics
Bud growth: cottony
with a rosy edge, developed tendrils young pale leaves
with 5 lobes. Adult leaf: often with 5 lobes, open lateral
sinuses, dark green blade, very bullate, twisted
profile with revolute edges. Branch: purplish
areas Habit: reasonably
droopy Cluster: conical,
stepped,
quite
compact,
and
slightly
structured Berry: small
to
average,
varying
size Earliness: budburst=average
to
late,
flowering=average,
ripening
of
grapes=average.
PRODUCTION
LEVELS
Fertility:
very slightly below average 1.3 1.8
Cluster weight: average 70 100 gms
Production: within the average of the reference yield (often very close
to clone 115)
Sugar level: above average by 0.4 degrees
Total acidity: just below average (0.1g/l)
Susceptibility to grey mould: good habit but without any particular
resistance
Organoleptic characteristics of the wine: beautiful, strong colour,
elegant and quality bouquet but not well developed, has the structure
of a wine to keep, tannic, quite long.
Class of wine: leading group
INDICATION
OF USE
Type
of clone: average production with good sugar levels, interesting
qualitative and quantitative aptitudes. Avoid excessive
loading of the vine.
Pruning: Guyot is preferable.
Locations: Can profit in all good Pinot locations producing a wine
of high quality. Close enough to clone 115 with which it can be associated.
Pinot noir Clone 777
IDENTIFICATION
Variety:
high-quality Pinot
Origin: MOREY ST DENIS (Cote dOr)
Selection centre: A.N.T.A.V.
Date of approval: 1981
DESCRIPTION
Morphological and vegetative
characteristics
Bud growth: Typical of the
Pinot but the copper-colour is pronounced.
Adult leaf: quite small with 3 lobes (or often 5) dark green blade,
an involute profile, revolute edges, bullate top face, and short teeth
on convex sides.
Branch: quite coloured, reddening on the side exposed to the sun
Habit: drooping
Cluster: small, conical, compact, short peduncle, a little lignified.
Berry: small, spherical or elliptical. Irregular diameter.
Earliness: bud burst = average to late, flowering = average to late,
ripening of grapes = early
PRODUCTION
LEVELS
Fertility:
just above the average: 1.2 1.7
Cluster weight: average to small: 50 90 gms
Production: below the reference average in the order of 15% below
that of 115
Sugar level: above average by an estimated 0.6 degrees.
Total acidity: below average by 0.5g/l
Susceptibility to grey mould: not very susceptible, but without strong
resistance.
Organoleptic characteristics of the wine: strong and intense colours,
strong aromas, typical of this type, good balance round, tannins,
appropriate to keep.
Class of wine: leading group.
INDICATION
OF USE
Type
of clone: high-quality Pinot with a short cycle (quite
late bud burst and early maturity) with a higher degree
of sugar content, weak acidity and a good performance against
Botrytis. Moderate returns enable it to produce an excellent
quality wine to be kept.
Pruning: Guyot with a bud-stick is preferred.
Locations: must be planted in quality zones. Brings a qualitative bonus
in any situation. Endeavour to avoid conditions that favour excess
vigour that expose the plant to uneven development of berries on a
bunch.
