Auteur

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Reviewed Wines

2009 Auteur Ophelia Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 91 cases, $38. Originally a blend of California and Oregon Pinot Noir grapes, but now a singular Willamette Valley blend. Four barrels from Shea Vineyard that did not fit into the Shea and Shea Back Block bottlings for 2009. Aged in 100% neutral French oak. · Moderately dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. Very ripe fruit profile with aromas of spiced black cherries and black raspberries and baking chocolate. Moderately intense flavors on the mid palate featuring dark cherries and berries with some spice and oak underpinnings. The tannins are restrained and the wine offers early drinkability. A little heat shows up on the finish. Good. Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »

2009 Auteur Manchester Ridge Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $40. · Moderately dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. Gorgeous aromas that make you just want to chew on the juice. Deep perfume of perfectly ripened pie cherries and vanillin oak. A stunningly flavorful wine that is quite flamboyant and showy, offering an array of darker berry and cherry flavors backed by complimentary oak. The finish is extraordinarily long, lasting more than 30 seconds. As good as this wine is upon opening, it did not show as well the next day from a previously opened bottle and probably is not a long term ager. Drink up for smiles now. Very good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 Auteur Manchester Ridge Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 182 cases, $50. Clones 115 and 777 co-fermented. Yield about 2 tons per acre. 20% whole cluster. Aged 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Demure, but seductive perfume of fresh black raspberries, black cherries, spice and vanilla wafers. Perfectly composed and seamless with delicious flavors of berries and bright cherries accented by notes of cola, baking spices and mocha, wrapped in silky tannins. Plenty of vim and vigor with impressive persistence on the long finish. Still great the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle predicting a long life ahead. I have had several stunning wines from this vineyard. One of my All-Americans for 2011. Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »

2009 Auteur Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 195 cases, $60. 90% de-stemmed, 10-day cold soak, minimal cap manipulation, 7- day post fermentation maceration, aged in new and 1-year-old barrels. · Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Subdued nose, picking up interest with time in the glass to reveal aromas of dark berry jam, dark chocolate and well-perfumed flowers. Tasty melange of blue and black berry fruits with subtle oak highlights and a lively acid grip on the finish. Picks up intensity with time in the glass. The fruit is obviously classy, but nothing stands out at this stage. Still very good the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Not as approachable as many 2009 Oregon Pinot Noirs, this wine will benefit from more cellaring. Very good (+). Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »

2009 Auteur Sonoma Stage Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 145 cases, $60. This vineyard is heavily influenced by coastal fog and wind steaming through the Petaluma Gap. 50% Calera and 50% Swan clones. 10% whole cluster native fermentations. Aged in 50% new tight grain French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Brooding aromas of black raspberries, blackberries and wood smoke. Oak-inflected (tarry) flavors of black stone fruits and berries with a grilled fruit note. The tannins are firm and supportive and the wine finishes big with fruity persistence. Better later in the day from an opened bottle showing better integration of oak. This wine needs a few years in bottle for assimilation of the oak-driven aromas and flavors. Good. Reviewed January 11, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 Auteur Back Block Reserve Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 69 cases, $75. Three favorite barrels in 2009 from Shea Vineyard. 10% whole cluster. 10 day cold soak, 7 day post fermentation maceration. Aged in 2 new French oak barrels and 1 1-year-old French oak barrel. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose is closed for business offering demure aromas of nondescript darker fruits and forest floor. The nose takes on a roasted, pruney note over time. Very ripe array of plush dark fruits including black plum and cassis with accents of dark chocolate that are currently buried in prodigious tannins. A muscular wine that has potential, but veers too far to the ripe side for me. Good (+). Reviewed January 11, 2012 ARTICLE »

2007 Auteur Manchester Ridge Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $35. · Alluring aromas of berry compote, pine sap, dried rose petals and minerals. Delicious berry fruit especially raspberry, with a sidecar of Moroccan spice, earthiness and fungiform flavor. There are ripe, grainy tannins and a subtle citrus tang on the finish. This is a wine of exceptional complexity that reveals itself in layers over time. Reviewed January 22, 2010 ARTICLE »

2007 Auteur Ophelia Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 279 cases, $35. An unusual combination of Pinot Noir fruit from both Oregon (85%) and California (15%) vineyards. 30% whole cluster. · Needs time to open in the glass eventually revealing raspberry, herbs, oak toast and a feral note. Wild berry fruit flavors are at the forefront augmented by oak with a grainy texture and very nice balance. A decent but not exceptional wine. Reviewed January 28, 2009 ARTICLE »

2007 Auteur Sonoma Stage Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 247 cases, $60. 50% Calera and 50% Swan selections. 10% whole cluster fermentation. · Native yeast. Aged in tight grain 50% new French oak. Dark violet in color. Very ripe fruit aromatic profile showing off raisin, roasted nuts, marzipan, mature grapes and seasoned wood. A touch of alcohol peeks out on the nose. The rich dark red fruits are somewhat subdued and augmented by flavors of roasted fruit and nuts ending in a dry finish. I could not warm up to this wine. Reviewed January 28, 2009 ARTICLE »

2006 Auteur Hyland Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 291 cases, $45. This vineyard has some of the oldest vines in Oregon, dating to the early 1970s. The vineyard sits in the McMinnville foothills in the Van Duzer corridor. Pommard and Wädenswil clones planted in volcanic Jory and Nekia soils. 25% whole cluster, 10% saigné, native yeast fermentation, 50% new French cooperage. · Very dark reddish-purple color. Complex and enticing nose touting dark fruits, underbrush, oak toast, fresh-roast coffee, redwood and a touch of alcohol. This wine is infused with flavors of blackberries, black raspberries and plum. Rich and fruity, yet retaining admirable finesse, it shows off a slippery texture and comes together nicely for a very pleasurable drinking experience. Reviewed January 28, 2009 ARTICLE »

2006 Auteur Sonoma Stage Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 146 cases, $50. The Auteur wines have been highly touted in the wine press and are sold by meager allocations through a mailing list. · An earthy aromatic profile featuring forest floor and a little oak char with fruit lingering in the background. Earthy on the palate as well, with dark fruits featured. The fruit is pent-up and flat at present. Soft in the mouth with fine-grained tannins and tangy acidity and prominent oak. This is a wine waiting to get out. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »

2006 Auteur Shea Vineyard Williamette Valley Pinot Noir

$60. · I have also had the 2005 vintage of this wine and both are fine. Uplifting aromatics lead to a full-bodied style of Pinot Noir that is packed with fruit, spice, soy and a deft oak touch. Reviewed July 30, 2007 ARTICLE »

2006 Auteur Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 313 cases, $75. Grapes were harvested from the special Back Block which is allocated only to Auteur and Shea Wine Cellars. Yields were 1.75 tons per acre. 100% Wädenswil clone.11% whole cluster. Native yeast fermentation. Aged in 55% new French cooperage. · Darkly colored and darkly flavored, this beauty is awesome. Aromas of rich dark stone fruit and berries, brioche, dark chocolate and tobacco smoke are echoed on the palate. Luscious and juicy, the tannins are fine and silky and the mouth feel is all satin. A WOW! wine that demands attention. Hard to believe something this good could come from a grape. Reviewed January 28, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 Auteur Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

This new label was started in 2004 by winemaker Kenneth Juhasz, who also makes wine for the Robert Stemmler label and The Donum Estate. Some whole cluster used, 55% new oak. · A sweet, lush and richly fruity wine that is big and powerful. Dark fruit driven and will appeal to those who love prodigious and succulent fruit in their Pinots. Some tasters felt the wine lacked complexity and would not age well but some found it very appealing. Reviewed January 30, 2008 ARTICLE »