Anam Cara Estate | The PinotFile

2009 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 627 cases, $32. A mix of all clones (except 2A) in the estate vineyard with predominantly 667. Aged in 16% new French oak barrels. · Light reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose has mostly oak-driven aromas initially, but becomes more fruity over time in the glass offering scents of red raspberries and red cherries. The wine has a light weight core of juicy cherry and blueberry fruit with an underpinning of oak. A little more body than the Heather’s bottling. Silky in the mouth with very soft tannins. An easy drinker whose delicate fruit is outflanked by oak currently but the balance should improve over the next year in bottle. Good. Reviewed January 12, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Anam Cara Cellars Estate Reserve Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., 240 cases, $42. From special sections and rows of the vineyard with Reserve potential and a best barrel selection. Yields 1.5 tons per acre. Clones are Pommard, 114, 115 and 777. Aged in 24% new French oak barrels. · Light reddish-purple color in the glass. Reserved but welcoming aromas of black cherries and darker red berries. Striking medium-bodied black cherry core which impresses the mid palate and lingers for half a minute on the finish. Smooth as a baby’s bottom with reserved tannins. Very classy and always the best wine in the Anam Cara stable. More reserved and elegant than the 2008 version of this wine, but more Pinot character. Reviewed January 12, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Anam Cara Cellars Heather’s Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., 55 cases, $65. 100% Dijon 114. Aged in 22% 1-year-old and 78% 2-year-old French oak barrels. Intended to be the most elegant expression of the vineyard and thereby the lightest touch of French oak. From 10 rows of what are considered reserve quality vines, cropped to 1.5 tons per acre. This wine is named after the owners’ daughter. · Very light reddish-purple color in the glass. Terrific aromatics featuring an enticing perfume of red cherries, red raspberries, Christmas spice, herbs and crusty bread. Light in weight but flavorful, picking up intensity over time in the glass. Cherries are the theme with hints of savory herbs and oak. Silky and feminine in style like fine red lingerie. Very good. Reviewed January 12, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Anam Cara Cellars Mark IV Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.53, 55 cases, $65. A blend from the most intense barrels which can handle more new oak. 75% Dijon 777 with lesser amounts of 114, Pommard and 115. Aged 11 months in 22% new French oak barrels. Will not be released until the spring of 2012. · Light reddish-purple hue in the glass. The nose develops very slowly in the glass, reluctantly revealing aromas of dark red fruits and dark red rose petals. Similar to the Reserve in flavor profile but possessing a bigger tannic backbone. Seductive flavors of crushed black cherries, red raspberries and red currants with subtle complimentary oak and reigned in sinew. Smoothly fashioned with a long, scented finish. Not as expressive as it will be in a few years and may supersede the Reserve with a few years in the cellar. Very good (+). Reviewed January 12, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 1,100 cases, $33. Composed of all the clones in the estate vineyard. Aged 11 months in 21% new French oak. · Hi-tone black cherry aromas are underscored by toasty oak on the nose. Tasty essence of dark cherries and berries with oak toast and mocha in the background. The tannins are supple giving the wine a welcoming drinkability. The oak tends to overshadow the fruit. Decent. Reviewed January 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Anam Cara Cellars Estate Reserve Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 280 cases, $45. Composed of selected barrels sourced from specific rows thinned to low yields (1.5 tons per acre). · Alluring perfume of blackberries, plum and tea with a hint of oak. Rich but not cloying array of berry fruits that are thoroughly engaging. Admirable finesse, perfect harmony and a finish that keeps you coming back for more. Great two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. A keeper that is liquid nobility. Reviewed January 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Anam Cara Cellars Heather’s Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 70 cases, $65.100% Dijon 114 clone. Aged 11 months in neutral barrels. · Aromas of red cherries and berries with a whiff of oak. Elegantly styled, soft and sensual focused on an earth-kissed red cherry core of fruit. The tannins are silky and the bright acidity supports a refreshing finish. May be too light in flavor intensity for this price range, but this wine is intended to be feminine in style. This style probably works better in an Oregon vintage like 2006. Decent (+). Reviewed January 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Anam Cara Cellars Mark II Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 70 cases, $65. Aged in 51% new French oak for 11 months. 69% Pommard and 31% Dijon 777. A boldly styled wine consisting of a vineyard and barrel selection named for the owner’s son, Mark. · Brooding aromatics slowly revealing dark stone fruits, mocha java and toasted oak. Delicious attack of plums, blackberries, cola and mocha flavors that are still immature and evolving. Great stuffing and amazing persistence on the fruit-filled finish. Needs time to soften the firm tannins and fully integrate the new oak, but patience will be rewarded. Still rather closed two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good. Reviewed January 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., 700 cases, $33. The words Anam Cara are Celtic for “friend of my soul” and symbolize the journey the owners, Sheila and Nick Nicholas have taken to make their wine. The winemaker is Aron Hess. Primarily Dijon 115 with added 667 and 777. Aged in 22% new, 15% once filled and 63% neutral French oak for 10 months. · Dark reddish-purple color. Sappy black cherry encased in oak vanillin and toast. Plush and generous, the wine retains a healthy elegance and the silky finish leaves a memorable impression. Reviewed December 17, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., $33. · The nose offers demure cherry and raspberry fruit with prominent oak and a touch of good barnyard. Showy dark fruits on the palate with riffs of cola, and showy oak caramel and smoke. Very smooth and harmonious. Reviewed May 7, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Reserve Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., $45. A few select barrels in the cellar. · The most fragrant wine in the lineup with alluring aromas of red plum, black cherry and dark red raspberries framed by toasty oak. Delicious raspberry fruit core that is full and rich with a touch of anise, tea and oak. A big-boned wine yet it dances smoothly across the palate, leaving a little heat in its wake. Reviewed May 7, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Reserve Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., $45. Blended from ten select barrels in the cellar. · Very fragrant berry fruit with a hint of toasted oak. Dark garnet color. Delicious black raspberry and blackberry core of fruit that dances and cascades smoothly through the palate. A touch of anise, tea and oak adds interest. A big wine with glassfilling presence that leaves a little heat on the back end. Reviewed March 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Anam Cara Cellars Heather’s Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., 50 cases, $65. This wine is named after the Nicholas’s daughter and is the most feminine wine in the lineup. Sourced from a 5-acre block of Dijon 114. · Aromas of ripe black cherries, herbs and oak char. Smooth and velvety in the mouth with rich but not jammy dark stone fruits and berries, herbs and a deft touch of oak. Clean and juicy with a refreshing acid driven tang on the finish. I like this wine for its elegance. Reviewed January 30, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Anam Cara Cellars Heather’s Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., 50 cases, $65. This wine is named after the Nicholas’s daughter and is the most feminine wine in the lineup. Sourced from a 5-acre block of Dijon 114. · Aromas of ripe black cherries, herbs and oak char. Smooth and velvety in the mouth with rich but not jammy dark stone fruits and berries, herbs and a deft touch of oak. Clean and juicy with a refreshing acid driven tang on the finish. I like this wine for its elegance. Reviewed May 7, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Anam Cara Cellars Mark I Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., 50 cases, $65. This wine is an estate vineyard barrel selection aged in 50% new French oak barrels. Primarily Pommard clone. Named for son, Mark, and is the first vintage of this wine. Intended for the cellar. · Reserved scents of dark cherries and strawberries with a hint of oak. Thick and chewy dark fruits which are at first brooding but pick up life and interest with time in the glass. Nicely composed and balanced. Like a big bear in hibernation who has yet to emerge. Potentially the most magnificent wine in the lineup, but 3-5 years away from maturity. Reviewed May 7, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

A featured winery in the next issue of the PinotFile (#36). · Reviewed August 6, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 678 cases, $30. This is a blend of all five blocks of the estate vineyard. Aged in 25% new French oak. · Alluring scents of spiced cherries lead to a soft, smooth and elegant wine packed with charming red and black Pinot fruits and faultless oak integration. The lingering finish displays a peacock tail of fruits and spices. A great expression of Pinot Noir. Reviewed January 30, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 678 cases, $30. This is a blend of all five blocks of the estate vineyard. · I tasted the wine briefly at an alfresco luncheon at IPNC and this made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. It was soft and elegant, but packed with charming red and black Pinot fruits. Most striking was the peacock tail finish which I rarely encounter. Reviewed August 13, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Reserve Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 213 cases, $42. This was the wine chosen by IPNC to be poured at the event. It represents fruit from specific rows which are cropped to insure low tonnage and maximal flavor concentration. · This Pinot Noir has more power and structure than the bottling above and will need a few years in the cellar to flesh out. That said, it is completely fine now, with charming notes of black fruits, earth, cocoa, and spice. Reviewed August 13, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Reserve Chehalem Mountians Willamette Valley

13.7% alc., 213 cases, $42. A blend of a few special barrels from the estate vineyard. · Noticeably bigger and fruitier than the above wine featuring blackberry and black cherry flavors with hints of spice and smoke. A little more fullness on the palate and a little more chewy. Beautifully balanced. This wine is still a bit shy and needs a few years in the cellar to show all of its charms. Reviewed January 30, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Anam Cara Cellars Heather’s Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 75 cases, $60. This inaugural release originates from three barrels from a single 5-acre block of Dijon clone 114 vines that were remarkable for their softness and complexity. The wine takes its inspiration from daughter Heather Nicholas. · Heady ripe cherries, wild berries and raisins lead the flavor parade. Very smooth, even glossy, with seamless elegance and a touch of bitterness on the lengthy finish. Still a little reticent but on its way to many surprises. Reviewed January 30, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Anam Cara Cellars Heather’s Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 75 cases, $60. This wine came from three barrels originating from a single block of Dijon clone 114 vines that were remarkable for their softness and complexity. The decision was to bottle them separately as blending in with the Estate and Reserve would overwhelm the charm. A special wine for sure, it takes its inspiration from daughter heather Nicholas, and as Sheila notes, “is continuously evolving, deeply expressive, and full of surprises.” Not tasted. · Reviewed August 13, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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