Dec 30, 2022
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Analemma Wines
| Owner(s) | Steven Thompson |
| Web site | www.analemmawines.com |
| Link to this site |
The analemma is a figure 8 shape of the Sun's annual migratory path between the northern and southern hemispheres as seen from the Earth. The figure of the analemma is similar to the symbol of infinity. This winery draws its inspiration from this image of "boundlessness" or "beyond calculation."
Steven Thompson discovered wine on his travels throughout Europe and New Zealand as a cycling guide. He worked his first harvest in Tuscany and upon return to the United States, he began his pursuit of a career in wine by enrolling in Viticulture and Enology program at Walla Walla Community College. There he worked closely with professor, mentor and hero Stan Clarke.
Thompson's winemaking experience includes several Walla Walla wine producers including Cayuse Vineyards, and New Zealand's Craggy Range and Seresin Estate.
While in New Zealand, Thompson had an opportunity to care for one of the oldest vineyards in the Pacific Northwest: Atavius Vineyard. He and his partner Kris moved to the Columbia Gorge to create wines from this unique vineyard. Two other vineyards are sourced including Oak Ridge (co-farmed with owners Thomas and Marlene Woodward) and Saddle View (at the site of the winery production facility in Mosier, OR).
Atavius Vineyard sits at 1800 feet above sea level and was planted in the 1960s by Dr Walter Clore, the "father of Washington wine." Dr Clone thought that Mariafeld clone would thrive in this cool, high altitude environment. Grapes from this vineyard are used to produce sparkling wines and rosé.
Current wines include a Pinot Noir, Rosé, Gewürztraminer and Sparkling. The wines are offered through a mailing list.
Articles About Analemma Wines
Reviewed Wines
2015 Analemma Oak Ridge Vineyard Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir
13.5% Alc., 350 cases, $32.
Organic grapes were fermented with a majority of whole cluster in stainless steel open-top tanks.
The wine was aged on its lees for 16 months in neutral barriques and concrete.
·
Light ruby red color
in the glass. Hi-tone cherry aroma with a woody riff. Engaging red cherry and red berry fruits in a
mid weight style that seduces with a silken mouth feel. Gossamer tannins and redeeming balance,
finishing modestly but pleasingly.
Score: 90.
Reviewed May 10, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Analemma Oak Ridge Vineyard Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 300 cases, $32. Organic
grapes were fermented with a majority of whole cluster in stainless steel open-top tanks. The wine was aged
on its lees for 16 months in neutral barriques and concrete.
·
Light ruby red color in the glass. A lighter-weighted
offering, featuring aromas and flavors of red cherry, cranberry, wintergreen and spice infused with herbaceous
thread that carry over in a short finish. A delicate tannic backbone makes for easy drinking.
Score: 88.
Reviewed May 10, 2018
ARTICLE »
2013 Analemma Atavus Vineyard Columbia Gorge Oregon Pinot Noir
12.3% alc., 70 cases, $N/A (release
spring 2016). 47-year-old Swiss Mariafeld clone of Pinot Noir. 100% whole cluster. Aged on lees for 14 months
in neutral barrels.
·
Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Inviting aromas of wild berries, spice and floral
bouquet, fading a bit over time in the glass. Light to mid weight flavors of black cherry, plum and raspberry with
thick wood and stem flavors, offering a slightly shallow mid palate attack. Brightened by citrusy acidity that
leads to a juicy finish and underlain with a firm tannic backbone, this wine is unusual in character and should
appeal to those looking for something intriguingly different in a whole cluster style.
Score: 88.
Reviewed November 6, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Analemma Oak Ridge Vineyard Columbia Gorge Oregon Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., 230 cases, $32. Pommard and 115 clones from a
certified organic vineyard. Majority whole cluster. Aged on lees for 16
months in neutral barrels and concrete.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in
the glass. Intensely fruity nose featuring cherry and raspberry. A bit feral
in character, with a mid weight core of dark berry fruit, accented with a
note of tar and a kiss of stems. Noticeably fervent entry and attack with a
focused finish replete with fruit and tannin.
Score: 89.
Reviewed November 6, 2015
ARTICLE »
2015 Analemma Oak Ridge Vineyard Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir
13.5% Alc., 350 cases, $32. Organic grapes were fermented with a majority of whole cluster in stainless steel open-top tanks. The wine was aged on its lees for 16 months in neutral barriques and concrete. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Hi-tone cherry aroma with a woody riff. Engaging red cherry and red berry fruits in a mid weight style that seduces with a silken mouth feel. Gossamer tannins and redeeming balance, finishing modestly but pleasingly. Score: 90. Reviewed May 10, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Analemma Oak Ridge Vineyard Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 300 cases, $32. Organic grapes were fermented with a majority of whole cluster in stainless steel open-top tanks. The wine was aged on its lees for 16 months in neutral barriques and concrete. · Light ruby red color in the glass. A lighter-weighted offering, featuring aromas and flavors of red cherry, cranberry, wintergreen and spice infused with herbaceous thread that carry over in a short finish. A delicate tannic backbone makes for easy drinking. Score: 88. Reviewed May 10, 2018 ARTICLE »
2013 Analemma Atavus Vineyard Columbia Gorge Oregon Pinot Noir
12.3% alc., 70 cases, $N/A (release spring 2016). 47-year-old Swiss Mariafeld clone of Pinot Noir. 100% whole cluster. Aged on lees for 14 months in neutral barrels. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Inviting aromas of wild berries, spice and floral bouquet, fading a bit over time in the glass. Light to mid weight flavors of black cherry, plum and raspberry with thick wood and stem flavors, offering a slightly shallow mid palate attack. Brightened by citrusy acidity that leads to a juicy finish and underlain with a firm tannic backbone, this wine is unusual in character and should appeal to those looking for something intriguingly different in a whole cluster style. Score: 88. Reviewed November 6, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Analemma Oak Ridge Vineyard Columbia Gorge Oregon Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., 230 cases, $32. Pommard and 115 clones from a certified organic vineyard. Majority whole cluster. Aged on lees for 16 months in neutral barrels and concrete. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Intensely fruity nose featuring cherry and raspberry. A bit feral in character, with a mid weight core of dark berry fruit, accented with a note of tar and a kiss of stems. Noticeably fervent entry and attack with a focused finish replete with fruit and tannin. Score: 89. Reviewed November 6, 2015 ARTICLE »