Et Fille: Pretty in Pink
Pink has become the popular signature of the new “girlie girl” culture, but rarely appears on the labels of
serious wines, being confined to rosés, Champagne, and gimmicky wines like Hello Kitty. The pink labels on Et
Fille wines, however, are very stylish, and make sense given the father-daughter collaboration that forms the
foundation of this winery. I happen to find the labels to be very classy.
The Mozeico family is quietly turning out some of Oregon’s finest Pinot Noirs.
Father Howard, whose background is in software, has been making Pinot Noir
since 1984. Daughter Jessica first assisted him with his winemaking efforts in
2000 and the name Et Fille was hatched. “Et Fille” (“ A Fee”) means “and
daughter” in French. Howard jokes, “Mozeico et Fille” just wouldn’t work. It
made sense to design a pink-themed label, since the winery incorporated a
daughter into the team.
The goal at Et Fille is to craft small lots of distinctive single-vineyard Pinot Noir
in a style suited to the character of each individual vineyard’s terroir. No
attempt is made to produce every vineyard-designated Pinot Noir in the same
fashion. Father and daughter feel strongly that each vineyard has a unique
voice, and they wish to preserve this precious expression of terroir in their
artisan Pinot Noirs. A superb Willamette Valley blend Pinot Noir is produced as
well and is one of Oregon’s finest each year.
The wines reviewed below were made to seduce with harmony and silky
textures. All the wines are well-crafted with intense flavors at relatively low
alcohols and offer well-balanced acidity. Choosing one as a favorite is really a matter of personal taste. Except
for the Willamette Valley blend, all the wines will benefit from further cellaring. The prices are very reasonable
considering the quality. These are not girlie-girl wines!
Et Fille wines are produced at August Cellars, a state-of-the-art gravity flow winery in Sherwood, Oregon, that
is shared by several small wineries. A tasting room here offers some of the Et Fille Wines but an appointment
is needed for an extensive tasting (503-449-5030). The wines are sold through a mailing list and are available
for purchase on the website (www.etfille.com). Magnums are available.
2009 Et Fille Kalita Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 220 cases,
$38. Aged 10 months in 33% new French oak barrels.
·
Subdued, primary aromas of spice, violets, cut flowers
and mint. Some very alluring dark red cherry and berry fruit peeks out showing impressive grip, focus and
length. Still helter-skelter with fine-grain tannins to the front. All silk and satin on the palate. Like a new Louis
Vuitton purse: you need to break it in before showing it off. Will come around sooner than the 2008s, but
needs another year or two. Excellent the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good.
2009 Et Fille Maresh Vineyard Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 103 cases, $42. Pommard clone. Aged 10 months in
French oak barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass.
Demure, but pleasing perfume of red and black berries, with hints of
smoky oak and tobacco. A young, but sophisticated wine, with a stunning
array of black cherry, red currant, and red plum flavors robed in immature
tannins. The pedigree of the fruit is obvious. Still showing some unintegrated
oak. A powerhouse that is impenetrable and not ready for prime time. Like a
new pair of Christian Louboutin shoes: able to attract plenty of attention.
2008 Et Fille Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., 931 cases,
$24. A blend of seven vineyards.
·
This wine has really blossomed
since I tasted it last year. Demure red and black berry medley on
the nose echoed on the palate. Medium-bodied and discreetly
lush, the dark red berry flavors are wrapped in gossamer tannins
and set off by bright acidity. The texture is particularly alluring: all
silk and satin. Drinking perfectly now and one of the best 2008 Willamette
Valley blends you will find in the marketplace. Very good.
2008 Et Fille Nicholas Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 172 cases, $34.
From the well-known Nicholas Vineyard farmed by Nick
and Sheila Nicholas. Pommard clone. Aged 10 months in
31% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish-purple
color in the glass. Beefy, husky and dark-fruited on the nose. Thick, broad
flavors of blueberries, black cherries, black raspberries and dark plums.
Tremendous concentration and grip, but retains an attractive feminine tone.
Perfectly balanced with a soft but ruffled texture in a worn leather jacket sort of
way. Impressive finishing persistence. Even better two days later from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle, indicating this wine will be an ideal cellar candidate. Everything you
want and some things you didn’t think to ask for in an Oregon Pinot at the right price.
2008 Et Fille Kalita Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., $38.
Pommard and Wädenswil clones.
·
The nose is currently closed for business but the flavors say Wow! Mouth
coating core of strawberry and black cherry fruit makes you sit up to attention, keeping you interested through
the soft, intensely fruity and refreshing finish. Showing very little leg now, and only hinting at its future
greatness. Note: some of the Oregon 2008 Pinots are closing up now and this is a perfect example. Cellar
this wine for a few years and then enjoy over the next five to ten years. Very good (+).
2008 Et Fille Deux Vert Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., 149
cases, $42. Inaugural single-vineyard Pinot Noir from this site. The vineyard is owned by Mike and Patty
Green. Wädenswil, 113 and 114. Aged 10 months in 33% new French oak barrels.
·
A distinctive wine that
reflects its Yamhill-Carlton roots. The nose is a challenge to describe but a pleasure to experience with aromas
of exotically spiced stone fruits, fig, fruit bin and a hint of pine. Intensely flavored and big-boned dark fruit with
undertones of earth and cola, yet silky and light on its feet with a huge, supple finish. Generous tannins should
soften over time, but this will always be a tannic wine. Pair with protein like some rare prime rib. This wine is
like a tatted biker girl: rugged but very appealing in black leather. Cellar this one. Very good.
