Dobbes Family Estate
Unlike many winemakers and winery owners who have immigrated from California to seek the grail of Pinot
Noir in Oregon, Joe Dobbes is a native Oregonian, raised in a small town in the northern Willamette Valley and
educated in Ashland. Joe did receive his early winemaking inspiration in Germany and France, apprenticing at
Wiengut Erbhof Tesch in the Nahe region of Germany and at Domaine Georges Roumier and Domaine Comtes
Lafon in Burgundy. Returning from Burgundy in 1989, he became the winemaker at Eola Hills Cellars and later
Hinman Vineyards. In 1996 he joined Willamette Valley Vineyards as winemaker where he also produced wine
under the Griffin Creek and Tualatin Estate labels. In 2003 he created three of his own distinct labels under the
Wine by Joe, LLC banner: Dobbes Family Estate high-end premium Oregon varietal wines including Willamette
Valley Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris and Rogue Valley Syrah and Viognier); Wine by Joe, a second label producing
value priced Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc bottled under screw top and intended for “Monday thru
Thursday consumption”; Jovino Oregon Pinot Noir, a food-friendly wine intended to be served at restaurants.
In February of 2006, Wine by Joe, LLC became one of the largest vineyard holders in Oregon with the
acquisition of the 214-acre Larkin Estate Vineyard is located in the Willamette Valley AVA in Polk County,
approximately 10 miles west of Salem. A total of 189 acres are planted to Pinot Noir (80 acres), Pinot Gris (82
acres) and Pinot Blanc (27 acres). Joe is pictured below with his family (Joe, Patricia, Amelia and Griffin).
The Dobbes Family Estate Pinot Noirs are bold and gutsy. The 2006 wines reflect the vintage with fruit
reflecting the hot weather at harvest. The mark of the wines regardless of vintage is craftsmanship and all the
wines are beautifully composed.
Dobbes Family Estate wines are sold on the website at www.dobbesfamilyestate.com. The tasting room is open Monday through Sunday from 11:00 to 6:00 at 240 SE 5th Street, Dundee. 503-538-1141.
2006 Dobbes Family Estate Skipper’s Cuvée Rogue Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 202 cases, $42. Skipper is Joe’s daughter Amelia’s nickname.
Sourced from vineyards located at 2,000 feet above sea level in Southern
Oregon’s Rogue Valley. This unique vineyard has daytime temperatures as
high as 96 degrees and nighttime temperatures as low as 35 degrees. The
vineyard was farmed to 3 tons per acre. Clones are Dijon 115 and 777. 25%
whole clusters. Indigenous yeast. Racked twice before bottling 15 months later.
Aged in 40% new French oak.
·
Moderately light garnet in color. Ripe fruit
aromas tending toward port and raisin. Cherry and berry core marked by root
beer and baking spice. Overripe flavors but nicely crafted and will find fans who
welcome the elegance.
2006 Dobbes Family Estate Meyer Vineyard Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 42 cases, $65. Clone 777.
The vineyard was farmed to 2.10 tons per acre. 100% de-stemmed.
Aged 11 months in 50% new French oak barrels.
·
Penetrating aromas
of dark raspberries, black cherries, raisins, grapes and oak which build
in the glass and becomes almost orgasmic. My notes say Wow!
Smelled great! Delicious dark red fruits fan out nicely on the palate
caressing the tongue with softness. Tobacco and raisin flavors add interest.
Fine tannins and a citrus tang on the finish. I kept coming back to explore this
interesting wine which was unique in its aromatic and flavor profile.
2006 Dobbes Family Estate Nuestro Sueño Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 202 cases, $65. The dry-farmed 16-
acre vineyard name means “our dream” in Spanish and is owned and tended by
Celeste and Tom Symonette. Clones are Dijon 114, Pommard and Wädenswil.
The vineyard was farmed to 2.10 tons per acre. Racked twice before bottling.
Aged in 40% new French oak.
·
On the nose there are slightly roasted dark fruits,
raisins and porto. Slightly sweet roasted plum, berries, and raisins on the palate.
Solid fruit core but slightly overripe. The tannins are moderately demonstrative.
2006 Dobbes Family Estate Quailhurst Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 237 cases, $65.
This vineyard is farmed by Marvin and Deborah Hausman. Dobbes
Family Estate has a monopoly on all of the fruit available for sale from
this vineyard and this wine is the first vineyard-designated Pinot Noir
offered by another winery. The vineyard was farmed to 2.10 tons per
acre. 100% de-stemmed with 70% whole berries intact in the
fermenter. Racked twice before bottling and aged 11 months in French oak.
·
Slightly reduced aromas of dark stone fruits, dark chocolate, charred oak and
smoke. Lovely black cherry and berry fruit liquor attack the palate and coat every nook and cranny in the
mouth. The fruit is ripe but stops short of overripeness. The flavors are stunning, close to a slightly sweet and
tart freshly baked cherry pie with a perfect crust and a hint of nutmeg spice. Everything is in harmony with
supple tannins and a tangy finish. A distinctive wine with great charisma.
2005 Dobbes Family Estate Griffin’s Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 273 cases, $42. Blended from five vineyard lots and hand selected
barrels. Clones 113, 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. Cropped at 2 tons per acre.
100% de-stemmed with about 70% whole berries intact in the fermenter.
Racked twice before bottling 18 months later. Darkly colored.
·
Very earthy nose
with restrained scents of dark fruits, herbs and hi-toned oak. A masculine wine
with both red and black fruits that is somewhat linear but drinks nicely. Rich in
texture with a dry finish featuring a lingering citrus note. Well-made.
2005 Dobbes Family Estate Cuvée Noir Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5%
alc., 277 cases, $52. This is wine a blend from the finest vineyard lots and
favorite barrels. Vines cropped at 2 tons per acre. 100% de-stemmed with
about 70% whole berries intact in the fermenter. 6 day cold soak. Indigenous
yeast. Racked twice before bottling 18 months later.
·
Dark reddish-violet color.
Huge nose that really seduces you featuring dark raspberries, blackberries, oak
and flowers. A gutsy wine with a rich mid palate showing earth-dusted dark
stone fruits and berries with a compliment of oak and a touch of citrus on the
pleasing finish. An intense wine for hedonists that can be enjoyed now and
should hold up nicely over several years.
