Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Wines

2010 1789 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 185 cases, $48. French winemaker Isabelle Dutartre’s own label. 1789 marks the year of the French revolution and the name is a symbol of Dutartre’s family’s revoultion when they moved from the south of France to Oregon wine country. She is currently the winemaker for De Ponte Cellars in the Dundee Hills. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Intriguing nose with aromas of cherry liquor, spice and a hint of fresh oak. Demure but flavorful on the palate with tastes of cherry, spice, citrus and oak. Crafted with modest tannins with bright acidity. Pinotosity at work here. Score: 92

2010 Amalie Robert Pommard Clone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., 45 cases, $44. Fermented with whole clusters and indigenous yeast. Aged a minimum of 12 months in French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Light garnet color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of red cherry pie glaze, baking spices, sandalwood and damp earthy flora. Light in weight and very delicate, with red cherry and raspberry flavors backed by soft fine-grain tannins and nervy acidity. A hint of dried herbs and spice add interest. An elegant and charming wine that forces the drinker to search for nuance. Very delicate for a Pommard based wine. Score: 89

2010 Amalie Robert Wädenswil Clone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.7% alc., 45 cases, $44. Estate grown, produced and bottled in Dallas, Oregon. Fermented with whole clusters and indigenous yeast. Aged a minimum of 12 months in French oak barrels. · Light garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of berry jam, sassafras, nutmeg, perfumed leather glove and a hint of smoky oak. Delicious light to mid weight core of red cherries and berries with accents of dried herbs, toasted oak and sassafras. Very delicate but flavorful and juicy with a good cut of acidity on the finish. May pick up heft over time in the cellar. Score: 91

2010 Ancient Cellars One Toe Duck Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., $30. The inspiration for the name came from a Mallard duck struck by a car who recovered and thrived with an obvious scar and namesake. A portion of the sales of the wine go to Benefit Wildlife Rehab. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas emerge slowly over time in the glass revealing notes of red cherry, baking spice, sandalwood and nutty oak. Darker fruits are evident on the palate including black cherry and black raspberry accented with spice. Good mid palate intensity, balanced tannins, bright acidity and a hi voltage finish featuring tangy and slightly tart cherry and raspberry fruits. Score: 88

2011 Ancient Cellars One Toe Duck Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., $N/A. · Light garnet color in the glass. Shy aromas of black cherry hard candy and black raspberry jam with a vinegary note (? acescence) showing up over time. More pleasant on the palate with light weight fruit flavors of candied cherry, strawberry and red raspberry with a complimentary hint of cinnamon. The tannins are supple and the acid is vibrant. Similar to the 2010 vintage, but lighter in weight with redder fruit. Score: 85

2011 Beaux Frères The Beaux Frères Vineyard Ribbon Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., 1,900 cases, $72. Grown, produced and bottled by Beaux Frères. From estate fruit planted from 1987 to 1991 primarily to Pommard and Wädenswil clones on their own roots. The vineyard has been farmed following the principals of biodynamics since 2002. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of red cherries, rose petals and other floral notes, and lacquered wood. Light to mid weight flavors of cherry and cranberry with a hint of oak. Very pleasant to drinking and charming in character, with modest tannins and very bright acidity, but a bit shallow on the mid palate and finish. Clearly the wine suffers from ripeness challenges, but is a commendable effort in a very difficult vintge. About the same the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 88

2012 Bergström Gregory Ranch Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc.,$47.50. From an estate-farmed vineyard owned by Wine Club members Dr. Kenton and Cindy Gregory. The vineyard was planted in 2007 to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 21 acres with 15 different clonal blocks on a steep hillside. Soils are sandstonebased marine. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic and alluring with bright aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, plum reduction sauce and spice. Exuberant and luscious on the palate with waves of black cherry, boysenberry and black raspberry fruits accented with spice. Velvety in texture with suave tannins and beautifully integrated oak. Highly pleasurable, this wine shows up the ripe, forward fruit of Oregon’s 2012 vintage. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was even more aromatic and flavorful. Wow! Score: 95

2012 Broadley Vineyards Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $28. · Dark violet color in the glass. Brooding aromas of dark cherries and berries with a faint note of anise and vanilla. Rich, deep and concentrated with a hedonistic core of sweet black raspberry, cassis, and spiced plum flavors with a shadow of oak in the background. Matching tannins and a generous fruit-filled finish complete the picture. Still very young and slightly awkward, becoming more expressive and refined with time in the glass. Cellar this wine for a few years. Score: 90

2012 Plowbuster (Carabella) Oregon Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $20. Second label of Carabella sourced from several AVAs in Oregon including the Chehalem Mountains. A fruit forward style that is a popular by-the-glass pour at restaurants in New York, New Jersey and Florida. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Aromas of vanilla-infused plum sauce, blackberries and hard cherry candy. Intense blackberry, ollaliberry and black plum fruit flavors that bring your palate to attention. Amazing phenolic ripeness with balanced tannins and a lingering finish. Will have many fans. Score: 89

2011 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 150 cases, $54. A blend of “darker” clones from Carabella Vineyard which was originally part of the Inchinnan Farm, a hazelnut orchard owned by the McDonald family. This special cuvée honors their support. The stony soils are lie on a protected southeastern flank of the Chehalem Mountains. Seven blocks are fermented separately. Clones 115, 114, Wädenswil, and 777 (first time). 25% whole cluster. Aged 18 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Mike Hallock, winemaker. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherries, herb garden and bay leaf lead to a light to mid weight core of herbinfused red cherry and purple grape fruit flavors accented with spice. Elegant and very enjoyable now with modest tannins and bright acidity. Impressive wine in this challenging vintage. Score: 92

2012 de Lancellotti Famiglia Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 75 cases, $35. A blend of estate fruit and sourced fruit all farmed Biodynamic. This wine is the least expensive in the de Lancellotti lineup, but I thought it was terrific. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Delicate aromas of cherry, spice and oak vanillin. Very smooth and likable on the palate, with an impressively intense mid palate attack of dark red cherry and black raspberry flavors with a compliment of cinnamon spice and oak in the background. Very crisp with a generous and persistent cherry-driven finish that is mouth watering. An impressive offering that was still pumping out the pleasure the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. No need to wait on this beauty. Score: 94

2012 Fire + Flood (Chapter 24) The Flood Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $60. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Penetrating aromas of darker stone and berry fruits flow from the glass and hold up over time. Full-bodied and boisterous flavors of Bing cherries, boysenberries and cassis caress the palate and persist with uncommon intensity on the very long finish. The wine still has an oak sheen which will integrate over time in the cellar. The soft texture is particularly appealing. A very special wine. Score: 94

2012 Fire + Flood (Chapter 24) The Fire Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $60. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Demure aromas of black cherry, cranberry and spice. Middleweight flavors of black cherries, raspberries and baking spice with an earthy undertone. Slightly muscular tannins balanced with vibrant acidity make for a very seamless, polished impression. Much more aromatic and flavorful the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle suggesting good age ability. Score: 93

2011 Harper Voit Strandline Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 250 cases, $35. Old School Vineyard in the far southwest corner of the Willamette Valley and Bieze Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills. Bieze Vineyard shares its eastern fence with the famed Seven Springs Vineyard. Planted in 2008 in Nekia, Jory and Ritner volcanic soils, the vineyard is situated at 600 t0 680 feet above sea level. Possibly the best new vineyard in the AVA. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose shows off aromas of blackberry, black plum reduction sauce, vanilla and smoky oak. Mid to full bodied with a pleasing core of black cherry, boysenberry and black plum flavors accented by oak vanillin. Impressive fruit ripeness in this vintage with wellintegrated tannins and some finishing length. Needs more time to shed some oak influence. Score: 89

2011 Harper Voit Old School Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 50 cases, $55. Old School Vineyard is situated at 800 feet elevation and the vines are planted in well-drained and nutrient deficient Bellpine soil. Dry-farmed using draft horses, compost and natural weed suppression, the vineyard is treated as a holistic organism. Dijon, Wädenswil and Pommard clones. · This wine drinks more Old World so the name fits. Shy aromas of dark red berries and cherries with a dash of smoky oak. Middleweight flavors of darker cherries and cranberries with a juicy, acid-driven finish of noticeable length. Should improve over time in the cellar but hard to resist now. Score: 90

2012 Harper Voit Surlie Willamette Valley Pinot Blanc

13.6% alc., 225 cases, $20. Crannell and Meredith Mitchell vineyards. Barrel fermented and age sur lie. · Very light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Highly aromatic with effusive aromas of baked apple, Limoncello, pear, pastry cream and lees. Delicious flavors of apple, pear and citrus, finishing long with a bright green apple note and palate cleansing acidity. Pinot Blanc can be watery and uninspired, but this wine is everything but, possessing nuance, body and flair. One of the best Pinot Blancs I have experienced from Oregon. Score: 91

2012 La Crema Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.55, 12,224 cases, $30. A blend of fruit from ten different vineyards including the sub-AVAs of McMinnville, Eola-Amity Hills and Dundee Hills. 8 different clones (667, 777, 23, Pommard, 2A, 113, 114, 115) and a variety of climatic and soil profiles. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day cold soak. Aged 9 months in 25% new French oak barrels with medium to medium-plus toast. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Classy aromas of black cherry, forest floor, rose petal and spice hold up nicely over time in the glass. Generous and forward in character with a lip-smacking core of dark cherry, raspberry and pomegranate fruits accented with a hint of mocha and savory dried herbs. Very accommodating, with mild tannins and a juicy, fruity finish. I sampled this wine against several premium Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs and it held its own. A solid everyday Pinot that is in wide retail distribution at the right price. Score: 90

2012 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $42. Winemaker David O’Reilly is one of the few Irish-born winemakers in the United States. This wine is named after the Kilmore Doorway which is displayed on the label in a photo. This Romanesque doorway was a sculpted entrance to the ancient Trinity Island Abbey in County Cavan, Ireland. Here the great patriot Owen Roe O’Neill sought solace during his quest for Irish independence. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon clones from vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton District. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The nose offers an array of enticing aromas including raspberry, dried cherry, sassafras, leather saddle and sandalwood. Modest in weight, but highly flavorful, the wine offers notes of black cherry, black raspberry, spice, dark chocolate and coffee. Very gracious and easy to drink now, this beauty has the balance and tannic backbone to age effortlessly in the cellar for 5 to 10 years. I loved the 2010 vintage of this wine, and this vintage is a hair better. Score: 95

2011 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $50. Fourth generation Burgundian winemaker Alexandrine Roy joins Phelps Creek in Hood River, Oregon, each fall after placing her Gevrey-Chambertain wines in barrel. This wine is made from a selection of estate fruit. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Elusive aromas upon opening that emerge over time in the glass to reveal scents of cherry, raspberry and vanilla. Intensely flavored on the mid palate and finish exhibiting ripe cherry and raspberry fruits with a little dash of herbs and earth. A striking wine that has the tannins in the forefront at this young age, but is uniquely interesting. The finish is particularly noteworthy for its persistence and charm. Even better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This wine has obvious French breeding and will require patience. Over time, there will be plenty to discover. Score: 94

2010 Siltstone Guadalupe Vineyard Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., $32. Joel and Louise Myers & Sons of Vinetenders manage this vineyard for owners Jim Stonebridge and Kathleen Boere. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Haunting aromas of black cherry, wilted rose, wine cave and wet stones. Plenty of fruit sap, boasting concentrated flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with an earthy underpinning. Much bigger than the previous two vintages, filling the mouth with pleasure and departing with a generous amount of fruit goodness and some dry tannin residue. A bold wine that dances on its toes. Score: 91