VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Oehlman

AppellationRussian River Valley
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., $45. Martini clone. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of Bing cherry, spice, sarsaparilla, tobacco, rose petal and the slightest bruised apple (VA) that blows off in the glass. Mid weight plus flavors of black cherry, strawberry and raspberry with a dash of spice and supportive oak. Commendable balance with finishing length to spare. Quintessential Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Score: 92. Reviewed March 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 WesMar Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 175 cases, $40. A blend of grapes from Oehlman, Balletto and Salzgeber vineyards meant to reflect the vintage in the RRV AVA. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromatically pleasing with scents of Bing cherry, spice, cola and sandalwood. Light to mid weight in style, with a juicy core of black cherry fruit set off by complimentary oak spice and cola notes. Easy to cozy up to, with silky tannins and admirable balance. Score: 90. Reviewed March 29, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 175 cases, $42. 11.92 acres on Vine Hill Road in Sebastopol. Goldridge soil. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Lively red and purple berry aromas as well as a bit of barnyard that may or may not appeal. Much better on the palate, with forward mid weight flavors of cherry, raspberry, spice, brewed tea and cola. Silky tannins and juicy acidity work amicably in tandem, and the wine finishes pleasantly albeit modestly. Score: 88. Reviewed March 29, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Father John Vine Hills Road (Oehlman Vineyard) Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., $55. · t cherry red color in the glass. Effusive aromas of red cherry, rose petal and complimentary toasty oak. A feminine, ethereal wine with delicate flavors of red cherry and cranberry, spice and sous bois. Exquisitely balanced with a juicy finish that exudes cherry fruit. Chambolle Musigny anyone? Score: 91. Reviewed May 11, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $42. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasant aromas of Bing cherry and the vineyard’s signature baking spice. Simple and modest in sap, with a mid weight core of black cherry fruit and commendable oak seasoning in the background. The tannins are restrained and the acidity is juicy in this well balanced offering. Score: 90. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Father John Oehlman Vineyard Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., $55 (sold out). · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Sexy aromas of Bing cherry, spice and raspberry preserves. Very elegant, but highly flavorful, featuring a cherry-driven core of vibrant fruit framed by silky tannins, integrated acidity, and finishing with plenty of cherry goodness. A beautiful wine that hits the mark in this vintage. Score: 93. Reviewed May 11, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $42. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Pleasant aromas of ripe cherry and raspberry with a hint of floral bouquet. Cherry-driven on the palate with inviting attack and finish. A touch of spice and savory herbs add interest. Considerably more enjoyable the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with brighter fruit expression and more finishing power. Decant if you must drink now, but I would wait a year or two. Score: 90-91. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Father John Oehlman Vineyard Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $55. Partially de-stemmed. Aged 11 months sur lie in French oak barrels. Fined but not filtered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Effusive and persistent aromas of cherry, cranberry, raspberry and spice. Silky and satisfying on the palate with mid weight flavors of cherry, cranberry and pomegranate underlain with a subtle savory herb, oak and citrus note in the background. Admirable freshness, with juicy acidity, suave tannins, and a long cherry-driven finish. A relatively demure interpretation of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir that oozes pinotosity. Score: 92. Reviewed April 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Father John Oehlman Vineyard Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $55 (sold out). Some whole cluster. Aged 11 months on lees in French oak barrels. Fined but not filtered. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Aromas of cherry and sandalwood lead to a middleweight styled wine with vivid flavors of red cherry, cranberry and raspberry, framed by a kiss of oak. Elegantly composed, with very bright acidity complimenting the juicy, slightly tart finish. Score: 90. Reviewed May 11, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 WesMar Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.0.% alc., $37. A blend of the three vineyard sources in this vintage. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Gorgeous aromatics featuring bright scents of blueberries, pomegranate juice, cherry, and whole cluster spice. The flavors echo the nose with plenty of Asian 5-spice compliment. The tannins are balanced and the finish has a good grip of refreshing acidity. A bit unusual for Russian River Valley in that the fruit veers to blueberries rather than black cherries, but spice lovers will relish this wine. Score: 91. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., $40. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Hi-tone aromas of cherry, spice, BBQ sauce, sweet tobacco and grass you smoke. Delicious and bombastic on the palate with a luscious core of red cherry, strawberry, plum, hay and pumpkin spice flavors. Juicy, crisp and silky in the mouth with supple tannins, lively acidity, and an intense cherry-flavored finish. A flamboyant sucker that leads with a cherry theme. Score: 92. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $40. 12 acres of Martini clone planted in 1989 and farmed by Karl and Elaine Oehlman. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Relatively light in weight in this vintage with aromas of cherries, spice, bramble and tomato. Elegantly composed with flavors of cherries, strawberries, spice and red hard candy, framed by mild tannins and bright acidity, with some persistent cherry on the finish. Fine, but doesn’t emote. Good. Reviewed January 19, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., Magnum. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The bouquet is quite charming initially, showing aromas of cherry, cola, and spice, but oak takes over with time in the glass and the fruit fades. A harmonious and juicy wine with a plush mouthfeel, offering ripe fruit flavors, particularly black cherry and blackberry, underlain with oak seasoning. More faded the following day with little fruit pleasure when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Drink now to 2020. Reviewed February 13, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

195 cases, $37. Martini clone. 12 acres of Martini clone planted in 1989 and farmed by Karl and Elaine Oehlman. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of fresh strawberries and cherries with hints of rose petals and oak vanillin. Medium-weighted bright flavors of spiced cherries and raspberries wrapped in supple tannins and focused by good acidity. Very soft in the mouth and seamless. Ready to drink now. A dead ringer for a Burt Williams crafted Russian River Valley Williams Selyem Pinot. Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $37. · More darkly colored than usual from this vineyard. Great purity of cherry fruit in the nose and on the palate with a typical addition (for this vineyard) of baking spices. A tasty middleweight with dusty tannins and a fruity finish that is not showing everything now. I would suggest cellaring for another year or two. Very good. Reviewed January 27, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc.. · Moderately light cherry red color with slight bricking of the rim. The bouquet unfolds nicely over time in the glass, revealing a perfume of red cherry, spice, burnt tobacco and sandalwood. On the lighter, delicate side, with pleasant flavors of red cherry and cranberry framed by silky tannins. A charming wine that doesn’t jolt the senses, but has pleasing qualities. Drink now to 2020. Reviewed February 13, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 267 cases, $37. The Oehlman family has farmed their land on Vine Hill Road for five generations. The vineyard is planted to the Martini clone of Pinot Noir. · Alluring aromas of cherries and berries, potpourri and spring flowers. Intense, slightly confected cherry-berry flavors, even a hint of candied apple with cinnamon spice. A touch of citrus pulls the wine into focus. Seamless and elegant and the most feminine wine in the lineup. Often one of my favorite WesMar bottlings and this year is no exception. Reviewed October 29, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc.. · Light cherry red color with mild rim bricking in the glass. The bouquet offers notes of dried cranberry, pipe smoke, white pepper and straw. Light to mid weight in style, with a black cherry core accented with notes of white pepper and herbs. A very elegant wine, with delicate, silky tannins, and somewhat faded, shallow fruit. Drink now to 2018. Reviewed February 13, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 261 cases, $37. · Aromas of wooded forest, green garden and jam on toast. Enticing core of Bing cherries, red berries and cranberries with a hint of green herbs. Discreetly intense with the structure to last. Beautifully composed but not offering all of its charms yet. Still a Lolita and needs more time in the cellar. Very good. Reviewed October 6, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 268 cases, $37. This vineyard is located on Vine Hill Road (see photos below). As the vines here have matured here, the fruit profile has trended toward a traditional Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. All Martini clones. She said, “A true crowd pleaser. More cranberry, orange and dark tea notes.” · I say, pour this wine for your wife or best friend. It is one seductive Pinot Noir. The aromas of strawberries, cherries, baking spice and a hint of pepper draw you in and the aromatic theme carries through on the palate finishing long, dry and clean. A hint of citrus adds tang. Feminine in style and demure in weight, it is quintessential Russian River Pinot Noir. Reviewed February 18, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 WesMar Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 268 cases, $37. · Moderately light reddish-purple color with a slight haze (unfiltered). Aromatically exciting leading off with a burst of cherries and spice followed over time in the glass with added notes of sage, seasoned oak and sandalwood. Medium-weighted flavors of redtoned cherry and raspberry fruits that explode in the mouth complimented by hints of baking spices with the satisfying melange lingering on the pleasing finish. Silky smooth with fine tannins. Probably at its peak but can hold for a few more years. Reviewed October 6, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 WesMar Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 395 cases, $32. The foundation of this blend is the Oehlman Vineyard which was bottled as a vineyard designate in 2002 and 2003. · Stunning aromatics featuring crushed Bing cherries, spices and vanilla. How do they bottle that stuff? The wine is beautifully composed with cherries, cola and tea flavors dancing across the palate. Very light on its feet. The tannins are very fine and supple. Finishes with lively acidity. Wowee! Reviewed July 17, 2006 WINERY »

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