Dec 30, 2022
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Sylvanus Estate
| Owner(s) | Christian Eddleman, Lisa McDonald |
| Web site | www.sylvanusestate.com |
| Link to this site |
A small family vineyard located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. It is the only vineyard situated in the unique microclimate of Moores Valley. Sylvanus means "Of the Forest" in Latin and the vineyard is surrounded on three sides by Oregon firs.
Sixth and seventh generation Texans Lisa McDonald and Christian Eddleman found the ideal place in Oregon to put down their roots. They had studied cool climate viticulture and enology at Lincoln University in New Zealand, and spent some time in the New Zealand wine industry.
The Sylvanus Estate Vineyard is right on the edge of Oregon's Coast Range. The 25-acre site contains three blocks, eight different soil series and rises from 450 to 700 feet elevation. The first block of Pinot Noir was planted in 2013 ("Home Block").
The winemaker is Drew Voit. He says the Sylvanus Estate Vineyard offers the highest level of stem lignification he has ever seen in the Willamette Valley so he employs significant whole cluster fermentation.
Visits and vineyard tours are welcomed. The wines are sold by allocation to a mailing list and wine club.
Articles About Sylvanus Estate
Reviewed Wines
2017 Sylvanus Estate Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 125 cases, $50. A blend of
Pommard, 777 and Mt Eden clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 40% new.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the
glass. Leading off are aromas of black cherry, fertile earth, floral perfume and smoky potpourri reaching new
heights over time in the glass. The mid weight nucleus of dark red cherry and berry fruits enter with purpose.
Plush in the mouth and engaging, with sleek tannins, supportive oak, a touch of earthiness, and a civilized,
slightly tart cherry finish. Much better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle.
Score: 91.
Reviewed March 23, 2019
ARTICLE »
2017 Sylvanus Estate Home Block Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., 75 cases,
$65. Pommard, 777 and 115/MtEden (co-ferment) clones in equal measure. No whole cluster. Aged in French
oak barrels, 66% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of cherry pie and sous-bois lead to
a mid weight styled wine exhibiting uncommon polish and elegance. The flavors of dark red and purple fruits
are bottomless and carry over through a very persistent finish. The oak is beautifully integrated, and the
tannins are very agreeable. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the
finish still stood out as extraordinary.
Score: 93.
Reviewed March 23, 2019
ARTICLE »
2017 Sylvanus Estate The Cipher Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 75 cases, $65.
100% whole cluster Pommard clone. Aged in French oak barrels, 66% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass.
Enjoyable aromas of black fruits and fertile soil arrive over time in the glass. A middleweight wine with
personality, offering flavors of earth-kissed purple berries and the slightest dusting of oak. Silken in texture, with
good energy, firm but not aggressive tannins, and a modest, plum-driven finish. Unchanged when tasted the
following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 92.
Reviewed March 23, 2019
ARTICLE »
2016 Sylvanus Estate Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 75 cases, $50. A blend of
Pommard, 115, 777 and Mt Eden clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new.
·
Moderately dark garnet color
in the glass. Plenty of garrigue and forest on the nose along with black cherry aromas. Well-structured and
well-endowed in a mid weight plus style, with waves of purple and black berry fruits. Almost numbing intensity,
with a serious attack and purposeful and long finish. The wine has a Syrah-like countenance but is so well put
together, it still speaks more of Pinot Noir.
Score: 93.
Reviewed March 23, 2019
ARTICLE »
2016 Sylvanus Estate The Cipher Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 50 cases, $65.
50% whole cluster Pommard and 50% co-fermented 115,
777 and Mt Eden clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 50%
new.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The savory
nose is driven by aromas of fertile earth and sous-bois.
Similar to the regular estate bottling, but with more
brightness, energy, refinement and polish. Spirited and delightful,
featuring an array of dark fruits creating a bold imprint on the palate.
There is some wild game character that intrigues. Blessed with a bold,
but agreeable tannin structure, this wine will hold its own for many
years to come.
Score: 94.
Reviewed March 23, 2019
ARTICLE »
2017 Sylvanus Estate Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 125 cases, $50. A blend of Pommard, 777 and Mt Eden clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Leading off are aromas of black cherry, fertile earth, floral perfume and smoky potpourri reaching new heights over time in the glass. The mid weight nucleus of dark red cherry and berry fruits enter with purpose. Plush in the mouth and engaging, with sleek tannins, supportive oak, a touch of earthiness, and a civilized, slightly tart cherry finish. Much better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »
2017 Sylvanus Estate Home Block Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., 75 cases, $65. Pommard, 777 and 115/MtEden (co-ferment) clones in equal measure. No whole cluster. Aged in French oak barrels, 66% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of cherry pie and sous-bois lead to a mid weight styled wine exhibiting uncommon polish and elegance. The flavors of dark red and purple fruits are bottomless and carry over through a very persistent finish. The oak is beautifully integrated, and the tannins are very agreeable. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the finish still stood out as extraordinary. Score: 93. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »
2017 Sylvanus Estate The Cipher Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 75 cases, $65. 100% whole cluster Pommard clone. Aged in French oak barrels, 66% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Enjoyable aromas of black fruits and fertile soil arrive over time in the glass. A middleweight wine with personality, offering flavors of earth-kissed purple berries and the slightest dusting of oak. Silken in texture, with good energy, firm but not aggressive tannins, and a modest, plum-driven finish. Unchanged when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »
2016 Sylvanus Estate Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 75 cases, $50. A blend of Pommard, 115, 777 and Mt Eden clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Plenty of garrigue and forest on the nose along with black cherry aromas. Well-structured and well-endowed in a mid weight plus style, with waves of purple and black berry fruits. Almost numbing intensity, with a serious attack and purposeful and long finish. The wine has a Syrah-like countenance but is so well put together, it still speaks more of Pinot Noir. Score: 93. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »
2016 Sylvanus Estate The Cipher Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 50 cases, $65. 50% whole cluster Pommard and 50% co-fermented 115, 777 and Mt Eden clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The savory nose is driven by aromas of fertile earth and sous-bois. Similar to the regular estate bottling, but with more brightness, energy, refinement and polish. Spirited and delightful, featuring an array of dark fruits creating a bold imprint on the palate. There is some wild game character that intrigues. Blessed with a bold, but agreeable tannin structure, this wine will hold its own for many years to come. Score: 94. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »