Dec 30, 2022
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J.K. Carriere Wines
| Owner(s) | Jim Prosser |
| Web site | www.jkcarriere.com |
| Link to this site |
Established in 1999, the winery is nestled in a working hazelnut orchard in Yamhill County, Oregon. The winery's name is a combination of Jim's grandfathers' names and represents a covenant he holds with their integrity. A wasp features prominently on the label because it has twice nearly killed him. J.K. Carriere wines are available in wine shops, fine dining establishments and specialty markets in twelve states, as well as directly through the winery.
Articles About J.K. Carriere Wines
2014 Oregon Value Priced Pinot Noir Honorable Mention All-Americans (10.2 12/22/2014)
J.K. Carriere Wines (9.42 5/25/2014)
J.K. Carriere Wines (7.15 3/26/2009)
Oregon Pinot Noir 2004 (6.15 2/12/2007)
Pinot Noir Blanc: Pure Juice (9.11 9/11/2012)
Wine Briefs (12.14 2/7/2021)
Reviewed Wines
2013 J.K. Carriere Glass Willamette Valley White Pinot Noir
12.0% alc., pH 3.28, 628 cases, $24.
Primarily from 33-year-old original plantings at Temperance Hill Vineyard. Whole cluster pressed and barrel
fermented with wild yeast in older French oak. No residual sugar. Racked once and bottled January 2014.
·
Light pinkish orange color and clear in the glass. Shy, rather nondescript aroma of citrus and pencil lead.
Crisp and light on the palate with subtle flavors of red cherry, orange water, peach and melon. The wine has
refreshingly crisp acidity, but nothing really stands out. It is a pleasant wine, and has received good press, but I
don’t get it.
Score: 86.
Reviewed July 4, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 J.K. Carriere Provocateur Williamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.60, 1,957 cases, $26. A
blend of six vineyards. Small-lot wild yeast fermentations, aged 17 months in 12% new, 8% one-year, 7% twoyear,
and 73% older French oak barrels. Racked and bottled unfined in February 2014.
·
A wine that strives to
please with lovely aromas of cherries, rose petal and spice that are echoed on the palate that is mid weight and
silky. A touch of oak adds a compliment and the finish is bright and filled with cherry goodness.
Score: 91.
Reviewed July 4, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carriere Lucidité Willamette Valley Chardonnay
12.5% alc., pH 3.32, 190 cases, $32. A late
growing year led to high acid and freshness. Whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented with wild yeast.
100% malolactic fermentation. Aged on lees for 18 months in older French oak barrels. Racked and filtered
before bottling.
·
Very clean aromas and flavors of lemon, lime, green apple, and pear fueled by zippy
underlying acidity. Slightly creamy on the palate with a mineral and citrus driven soprano finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed July 4, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carrier Vespidae Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., pH 3.62, 891 cases, $42. Flagship
wine. Vespidae is the Latin name of the family of wasps that tried to kill Jim Prosser. Sourced from Shea,
Temperance Hill, Black Walnut and Gemini vineyards. Wild yeast fermentations in stainless steel, aged for 19
months in 29% new, 19% one-year, 19% two-year and 32% three-year or older French oak barrels. Bottled
unfined and unfiltered in March 2013.
·
Plenty of concentration and noticeable finishing intensity in this wine that
features a spiced cherry core accented with herbs. Easy going and food friendly.
Score: 89.
Reviewed July 4, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carrier Anderson Family Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., pH 3.78, 98 cases, $65.
Sourced from dry-farmed, 21-year-old Dijon 115 clone, some of the oldest Dijon clone Pinot Noir in Oregon.
Small lot wild yeast fermentation, aged 19 months in one new, one one-year, one two-year and one older
French oak barrel. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in April 2013.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose
lacks in fruit but makes up for it in appealing aromas of tea leaves, dried herbs and smoky oak. Tasty light to
mid weight array of dark red cherry and berry flavors with a subtle herbaceous riff in the background. Polished
with good integration of tannins and a lean, but refreshing finish. Tasted the next day from a previously opened
and decanted bottle, the wine was unchanged.
Score: 90.
Reviewed July 4, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carrier Gemini Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., pH 3.66, 48 cases, $65. 20-
year-old Scott Henry trained Pommard clone. Small lot wild yeast fermentations, aged 19 months in one-year
and two-year French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in April 2013.
·
Moderate reddish purple color
in the glass. The nose is shy initially, picking up interest and intensity over time in the glass. Aromas of
cherries, pomegranate, spice, underbrush and oak make for an invigorating experience. Mid weight flavors of
cherries and berries in a crisp, juicy style with muscular, imposing fine-grain tannins. Texturally alive with a
savory herbal streak in the background and a long finish. Tasted the next day from a previously opened and
decanted bottle, the wine had slowly evolved, but will still need a few years to integrate the tannins.
Score: 91.
Reviewed July 4, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carrier Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., pH
3.65, 146 cases, $65. Dijon 777 clone planted in Willakenzie soil. Small lot wild
yeast fermentations, aged 19 months in one new, one one-year, one two-year
and one older French oak barrel. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in April 2013.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose picks up steam
over time in the glass offering aromas of black cherry and black raspberry fruits.
The pedigreed fruit is impressive, featuring layers of discovery including black
raspberry, blueberry, pomegranate, and spice. The fruit is still compressed in
firm tannins and will need a few years in the cellar to be more giving. Tasted the
next day from a previously opened and decanted bottle, the wine was slightly
more integrated and pleasing.
Score: 92.
Reviewed July 4, 2014
ARTICLE »
2006 J.K. Carriere Wines Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., $42.
·
Dark reddish-purple color. Dark
ripe fruit showing some port aromas and flavors but not prune. Light in weight yet offering a modestly rich
mouth feel, supple tannins and a refreshing acid lift on the finish. Perfectly fine and a clear reflection of the
vintage. Approachable now but will last.
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 J.K. Carriere Wines Antoinette Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.75% alc., 148 cases, $65. Antoinette
was Prosser’s maternal grandmother. Sourced from 27 year-old vines in Temperance Hill Vineyard, the oldest
from this vineyard. Wild yeast fermentation, aged 18 months in 6 French oak barrels, 2 new, 2 twice-filled and
2 neutral. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Deeply colored. Dark fruits tending toward raisin with aromas of smoke, oak
and a bit of good barnyard. On the palate there is plenty of satisfying oak-wrapped dark fruit which is shy and
restrained. Currently the tooth-sticking tannins and hi-tone acidity overshadow the fruit. Not extremely
charming or approachable yet but patience will pay dividends down the road (Prosser predicts a potential life of
12 to 20 years).
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 J.K. Carriere Wines Gemini Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.75% alc., 64 cases,$65. The vines are 15-year-old, Scott Henry
trained, Pommard clone Pinot Noir planted in Laurelwood soil. Small lot
wild yeast fermentations, aged 18 months in 3 barrels, one once filled, one
twice-filled and one neutral. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
The nose is quite
alluring as it expands in the glass over time revealing dark red stone fruits,
especially black cherries, spice, oak and marzipan. Hearty core of red and
black raspberries and cherries engulfed by flamboyant tannins. Two days later this
wine was sampled from a previously opened and re-corked bottle and it was
drinking beautifully, smoothly textured with more integration of tannins and more expressive fruit. The lesson
here is to decant if you have to drink this wine now, but you would be well advised to keep your hands off of it
for at least five years. It’s got backside 9s on lock.
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2004 J.K. Carriere Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.75% alc., $42. Jim Prosser is the proprietor and
winemaker here. Jim likes to refer to Pinot Noir as “A tuning fork for the soul.” His wines are known to
be a little austere on release and take a number of years to blossom.
·
Rich nose tending toward prune
with a little funkiness. Beautiful soft texture. Fine-grained tannins and a touch of oak grace a lingering
finish.
Reviewed February 12, 2007
ARTICLE »
2013 J.K. Carriere Glass Willamette Valley White Pinot Noir
12.0% alc., pH 3.28, 628 cases, $24. Primarily from 33-year-old original plantings at Temperance Hill Vineyard. Whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented with wild yeast in older French oak. No residual sugar. Racked once and bottled January 2014. · Light pinkish orange color and clear in the glass. Shy, rather nondescript aroma of citrus and pencil lead. Crisp and light on the palate with subtle flavors of red cherry, orange water, peach and melon. The wine has refreshingly crisp acidity, but nothing really stands out. It is a pleasant wine, and has received good press, but I don’t get it. Score: 86. Reviewed July 4, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 J.K. Carriere Provocateur Williamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.60, 1,957 cases, $26. A blend of six vineyards. Small-lot wild yeast fermentations, aged 17 months in 12% new, 8% one-year, 7% twoyear, and 73% older French oak barrels. Racked and bottled unfined in February 2014. · A wine that strives to please with lovely aromas of cherries, rose petal and spice that are echoed on the palate that is mid weight and silky. A touch of oak adds a compliment and the finish is bright and filled with cherry goodness. Score: 91. Reviewed July 4, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carriere Lucidité Willamette Valley Chardonnay
12.5% alc., pH 3.32, 190 cases, $32. A late growing year led to high acid and freshness. Whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented with wild yeast. 100% malolactic fermentation. Aged on lees for 18 months in older French oak barrels. Racked and filtered before bottling. · Very clean aromas and flavors of lemon, lime, green apple, and pear fueled by zippy underlying acidity. Slightly creamy on the palate with a mineral and citrus driven soprano finish. Score: 90. Reviewed July 4, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carrier Vespidae Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., pH 3.62, 891 cases, $42. Flagship wine. Vespidae is the Latin name of the family of wasps that tried to kill Jim Prosser. Sourced from Shea, Temperance Hill, Black Walnut and Gemini vineyards. Wild yeast fermentations in stainless steel, aged for 19 months in 29% new, 19% one-year, 19% two-year and 32% three-year or older French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in March 2013. · Plenty of concentration and noticeable finishing intensity in this wine that features a spiced cherry core accented with herbs. Easy going and food friendly. Score: 89. Reviewed July 4, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carrier Anderson Family Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., pH 3.78, 98 cases, $65. Sourced from dry-farmed, 21-year-old Dijon 115 clone, some of the oldest Dijon clone Pinot Noir in Oregon. Small lot wild yeast fermentation, aged 19 months in one new, one one-year, one two-year and one older French oak barrel. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in April 2013. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose lacks in fruit but makes up for it in appealing aromas of tea leaves, dried herbs and smoky oak. Tasty light to mid weight array of dark red cherry and berry flavors with a subtle herbaceous riff in the background. Polished with good integration of tannins and a lean, but refreshing finish. Tasted the next day from a previously opened and decanted bottle, the wine was unchanged. Score: 90. Reviewed July 4, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carrier Gemini Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., pH 3.66, 48 cases, $65. 20- year-old Scott Henry trained Pommard clone. Small lot wild yeast fermentations, aged 19 months in one-year and two-year French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in April 2013. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is shy initially, picking up interest and intensity over time in the glass. Aromas of cherries, pomegranate, spice, underbrush and oak make for an invigorating experience. Mid weight flavors of cherries and berries in a crisp, juicy style with muscular, imposing fine-grain tannins. Texturally alive with a savory herbal streak in the background and a long finish. Tasted the next day from a previously opened and decanted bottle, the wine had slowly evolved, but will still need a few years to integrate the tannins. Score: 91. Reviewed July 4, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 J.K. Carrier Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., pH 3.65, 146 cases, $65. Dijon 777 clone planted in Willakenzie soil. Small lot wild yeast fermentations, aged 19 months in one new, one one-year, one two-year and one older French oak barrel. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in April 2013. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose picks up steam over time in the glass offering aromas of black cherry and black raspberry fruits. The pedigreed fruit is impressive, featuring layers of discovery including black raspberry, blueberry, pomegranate, and spice. The fruit is still compressed in firm tannins and will need a few years in the cellar to be more giving. Tasted the next day from a previously opened and decanted bottle, the wine was slightly more integrated and pleasing. Score: 92. Reviewed July 4, 2014 ARTICLE »
2006 J.K. Carriere Wines Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., $42. · Dark reddish-purple color. Dark ripe fruit showing some port aromas and flavors but not prune. Light in weight yet offering a modestly rich mouth feel, supple tannins and a refreshing acid lift on the finish. Perfectly fine and a clear reflection of the vintage. Approachable now but will last. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 J.K. Carriere Wines Antoinette Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.75% alc., 148 cases, $65. Antoinette was Prosser’s maternal grandmother. Sourced from 27 year-old vines in Temperance Hill Vineyard, the oldest from this vineyard. Wild yeast fermentation, aged 18 months in 6 French oak barrels, 2 new, 2 twice-filled and 2 neutral. Unfined and unfiltered. · Deeply colored. Dark fruits tending toward raisin with aromas of smoke, oak and a bit of good barnyard. On the palate there is plenty of satisfying oak-wrapped dark fruit which is shy and restrained. Currently the tooth-sticking tannins and hi-tone acidity overshadow the fruit. Not extremely charming or approachable yet but patience will pay dividends down the road (Prosser predicts a potential life of 12 to 20 years). Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 J.K. Carriere Wines Gemini Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.75% alc., 64 cases,$65. The vines are 15-year-old, Scott Henry trained, Pommard clone Pinot Noir planted in Laurelwood soil. Small lot wild yeast fermentations, aged 18 months in 3 barrels, one once filled, one twice-filled and one neutral. Unfined and unfiltered. · The nose is quite alluring as it expands in the glass over time revealing dark red stone fruits, especially black cherries, spice, oak and marzipan. Hearty core of red and black raspberries and cherries engulfed by flamboyant tannins. Two days later this wine was sampled from a previously opened and re-corked bottle and it was drinking beautifully, smoothly textured with more integration of tannins and more expressive fruit. The lesson here is to decant if you have to drink this wine now, but you would be well advised to keep your hands off of it for at least five years. It’s got backside 9s on lock. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2004 J.K. Carriere Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.75% alc., $42. Jim Prosser is the proprietor and winemaker here. Jim likes to refer to Pinot Noir as “A tuning fork for the soul.” His wines are known to be a little austere on release and take a number of years to blossom. · Rich nose tending toward prune with a little funkiness. Beautiful soft texture. Fine-grained tannins and a touch of oak grace a lingering finish. Reviewed February 12, 2007 ARTICLE »