Dec 30, 2022
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Carabella Vineyard
| Owner(s) | Cara Hallock, Mike Hallock |
| Web site | www.carabellawine.com |
| Link to this site |
A top Oregon producer of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. The 48-acre vineyard is located on the southeast side of Parrett Mountain in the Chehelam Mountains AVA in the Northern Willamette Valley. Planting was carried out in 1996 and 1997, with an additional 9 acres of Pinot Noir added in 2007. Seven Pinot Noir clones are planted including Pommard, Wadenswil, Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777. Proprietor and winemaker Mike Hallock, who is also a geologist, made his first vintage from the Carabella Vineyard in 1998.
Five different clonal blocks are fermented separately and then blended with emphasis on modest use of new French oak. Fruit from the vineyard is also sold to several prominent winemakers in the Chehalem Mountains and Dundee Hills AVAs.
Carabella produces both a Carabella Vineyard Pinot Noir and an Inchinnan Pinot Noir composed of Wadenswill and Dijon 114 and 115 fruit. Pinot Gris and Chardonnay (Dijon 76) are also planted on the 58 acres and are the source of white wines.
Carabella is open Memorial Day and Thanksgiving Day weekends.
Articles About Carabella Vineyard
2010 Oregon Pinot Noir All-Americans Second Team (8.28 12/28/2010)
2012 Oregon Pinot Noir All-Americans Honorable Mention (9.17 12/26/2012)
2012 Oregon Pinot Noir All-Americans Second Team (9.17 12/26/2012)
2014 Oregon Value Priced Pinot Noir Honorable Mention All-Americans (10.2 12/22/2014)
Carabella Vineyard (9.42 5/25/2014)
Carabella: Pinot as it Was Meant to Be (8.25 11/7/2010)
Chehalem Mountains (7.7 12/17/2008)
Embarrassment of Riches: Oregon (9.1 1/11/2012)
Large Review of 2009 & 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs With a Few from 2008 & 2011 (9.7 5/9/2012)
More Juicy 2010 Oregon Pinot Incoming (9.15 11/24/2012)
Pinot Gris: Oregon’s Signature White Wine (7.15 3/26/2009)
Report from 2009 IPNC (7.22 8/5/2009)
Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Wines (9.39 3/29/2014)
Small Sips of More Pinot (7.15 3/26/2009)
Reviewed Wines
2011 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $39.
·
Moderately light reddish
purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic with bright scents of cherry and plum, spice, rose petal and herbs.
Beautifully balanced and highly elegant, with flavors that echo the hose embraced by modest tannins. The
texture is silky and the finish is satisfyingly appointed with red fruits and herbs.
Score: 90.
Reviewed June 9, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 150
cases, $54. A blend of “darker” clones from Carabella Vineyard which was
originally part of the Inchinnan Farm, a hazelnut orchard owned by the
McDonald family. This special cuvée honors their support. The stony soils are
lie on a protected southeastern flank of the Chehalem Mountains. Seven blocks
are fermented separately. Clones 115, 114, Wädenswil, and 777 (first time).
25% whole cluster. Aged 18 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Mike
Hallock, winemaker.
·
Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of
cherries, herb garden and bay leaf lead to a light to mid weight core of herbinfused
red cherry and purple grape fruit flavors accented with spice. Elegant
and very enjoyable now with modest tannins and bright acidity. Impressive wine in this challenging vintage.
Score: 92.
Reviewed March 29, 2014
ARTICLE »
2010 Plowbuster Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $20.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherries,
strawberries and violets. The flavors echo the aromas in a moderately
light style. A simple but pleasing wine that is soft in the mouth and
finishes with a kiss of cherry. Consistently one of Oregon’s best valuepriced
Pinot Noirs. Good.
Reviewed May 11, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., $27. Barrel fermented,
100% malolactic fermentation, aged in about 15% new French oak.
·
Aromas and flavors of citrus, banana,
vanilla and nuts. Slightly creamy and soft in the mouth with a good cut of acidity on the bright finish.
Score: 88.
Reviewed June 9, 2014
ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 550 cases, $37. 6 blocks
including Pommard, Wädenswil, and Dijon clones. Each block fermented separately.
·
Moderately light
reddish-purple hue in the glass. The nose wows you with bright, perfectly ripe cherries and dark
berries. Very polished and elegant in style, with delicious cherry and strawberry flavors accented with
complimentary spice, cola and oak. A high class offering with beautiful balance that reeks of pinotosity.
Still great the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Reviewed November 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Dijon 667 Clone Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 65 cases, $54. First harvest
from 667 block. Yield 1/2 ton per acre.
·
Medium dark ruby color in the glass. Appealing aromas of darker
cherries and berries with a touch of brown spice. Impressive attack of black raspberries with a hint of spice
and toasty oak. Soft and smooth on the palate with admirable length. A seamless wine that tastes like the best
berry jam you have ever had. I have rarely encountered a single clone 667 Pinot Noir this good. Needs a little
time to integrate the oak. Very good.
Reviewed November 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Estate Dijon 113 Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $54.
·
Light garnet color in the glass. Delicate aromas of cherry, floral
display and brown spice. Very elegant and silky on the palate, with light weight
but pleasing flavors of cherry and raspberry supported by fine-grain tannins. A
very charming wine.
Score: 92.
Reviewed June 9, 2014
ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir
13.5%
alc., 150 cases, $54. Dijon 114,115 and Wädenswil clones cropped to
ridiculously low levels.
·
Moderate light reddish color in the glass. Brightly
perfumed with aromas of fresh cherries and sandalwood. Very soft and
elegant with marshmallow tannins supporting a well ripened array of red
fruits. This wine won’t overpower but it will seduce with a sneaky appeal.
Not as big a wine in this vintage as usual, but still very charming.
Reviewed November 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
15.7% alc., 350 cases, $37.
Warm summer at this vineyard site. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon clones 113, 114 and 115 fermented
separately.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely effusive nose composed of aromas of
sweet Bing cherries, fresh raspberries, tea leaf and sandalwood. Delicious and intensely flavored black cherry
bombast that is akin to Pinots from the warmer parts of the Russian River Valley. Despite its muscular nature,
the wine retains a nimbleness and is neither roasted nor jammy. The alcohol never rears its head, but the
acidity is slightly lacking on the relatively flat finish. A meal in itself that is hard to resist.
Very good.
Reviewed May 11, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Carabella Estate Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
15.7% alc., 90 cases, $54. A select blend of 2 barrels
of Wädenswil clone, 1 barrel of Dijon 115 clone and 1 barrel of Pommard
clone. The name comes from the vineyard site, formerly part of the
historic Inchinnan Farm, a hazelnut orchard still owned by the McDonald
family. A select blend from the Carabella Estate Vineyard.
·
Medium
reddish-purple color in the glass. More earthy and savory than the regular
Estate bottling and more reticent to reveal its charms. The nose is well nuanced
with aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, mushrooms, spice and
graham. Dusty black cherry flavors are complimented by savory herbs. Well-proportioned
tannins and acidity, and a touch more refined and sophisticated than the regular Estate bottling.
Not at all ponderous. Even better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Reviewed May 11, 2012
ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Dijon 76 Clone Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., 208 cases, $26.
·
Light straw color in the glass. Lovely scents of
green apple, lemon zest, jasmine, vanilla and polished wood. Reserved but
pleasing flavors of lemon, papaya, and apple. Fresh and crisp with an
underlying minerality unadorned with oak. Hallock takes Chardonnay seriously
and it shows. Good.
Reviewed November 7, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 681
cases, $35. This wine is a blend of the entire vineyard.
·
Knockout fruity nose
right out of the bottle redolent with hi-tone spicy plum and berry aromas.
Delicious essence of perfectly ripe cherry and berry fruits offered in a
moderately rich format supported by fine-grain tannins and complimentary
mineral-driven acidity. The wine is smooth and easygoing with beautiful
harmony. Still fine the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle
indicating a respectable longevity. Very good.
Reviewed November 7, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Eva’s Garden Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., $39.
·
Similar to the
2010 Estate bottling but more vibrant and appealing with flavors of lemon curd, apple and peach. Soft and
slightly creamy in the mouth with a long, very silky finish. Like this.
Score: 90.
Reviewed June 9, 2014
ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 150 cases, $54. 57% Wädenswil plus Dijon 115 and 114.
·
Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Picks up aromatic intensity in
the glass over time offering a plethora of aromas of dark stone fruits, allspice, rose
petals, and a hint of cut flowers. Delicious dark plum and blackberry fruit flavors
with a bit of sauvage, with eye-opening mid palate intensity, yet still only
hinting at its future potential. Very smoothly textured with amazing
persistence on the prodigious finish. A benchmark Pinot Noir for Oregon in 2008
that will be nothing short of spectacular in five years.
Reviewed November 7, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Mistake Block Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 90 cases, $55. In 1998, while planting Dijon 113
vines, some vines were mislabeled resulting in 13 rows of Pommard
clone which gave some of the best wine from the vineyard in 2008.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. All the Pinot fruits are
represented in the nose with some added floral interest and spice.
Very tasty melange of dark red berries, black cherries and plums with an
earthy undertone. Constantly intriguing, revealing nuances with every sip.
Pleasingly smooth in the mouth with firm but silky tannins. I just love the
seamless texture of this wine.
Reviewed November 7, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Mistake Block Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 90 cases, $55.
Pommard clone.
·
Moderate reddish-purple robe in the glass. Aromas of crushed strawberries, raspberries,
sandalwood and vanilla pastry. The slightly confected flavors echo the nose with added notes of black
cherries, cranberries and the faintest oak graham. Very soft in the mouth with pillowy tannins. Very good.
Reviewed January 12, 2012
ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Eva’s Garden Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $75. A selection of the best blocks on the Carabella site. Primarily
113 with some of the oldest 115 plantings and Pommard from the Mistake Block.
·
Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Spectacular nose with effusive
aromas of fresh black cherries, black raspberries and spice. Everything you
could ask for in a Pinot Noir. Vivid and spiced dark stone and berry fruits are
beautifully blended into a layered fruit wonderland, the tannins are submerged,
the mouth feel is silky smooth and the finish is generous and persistent.
Score: 94.
Reviewed June 9, 2014
ARTICLE »
2007 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley 10th Anniversary Pinot Gris
12.4% alc., $17.
·
Delicate and attractive scents of pears and honeysuckle. Bold pear flavor
on the attack with hints of apple and citrus. Creamy with a tangy finish that features fine
persistence.
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
13.8% alc., 1,780 cases, $16. Sourced
from 11 acres of estate dry farmed Pinot gris.
·
Slightly deeper yellow color than many examples. Shy aromas
of pear and minerals. A bit atypical in flavor profile featuring roasted nuts, miso and honey. Very smoothly
textured.
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc.,
1,800 cases, $39. From six blocks of the Carabella Vineyard planted to Dijon,
Pommard and Wädenswil clones.
·
Demure aromas of red plums, cherries, minerals
and exotic spice. Silky entry of tasty raspberry and strawberry fruits which are vivid
and pleasing. Admirable grip on the clean finish. Very easy to like and immensely
satisfying. Drink this one while you wait for the Inchinnan to develop.
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 250 cases, $54. The Carabella Vineyard is part of the
Inchinnan Farm, the hazelnut orchard still owned by the McDonald family and
this cuvée honors the McDonald’s support. Seven blocks of Pinot Noir
fermented separately. Dijon 114 and 115, Pommard and Wädenswil clones.
The winemaker is Mike Hallock.
·
This wine needs plenty of time to open up and
I would recommend decanting if you want to pop the cork now. Shy raspberry fruit
nicely oaked on the nose. Richly layered berry and dark stone fruits with riffs of earth
and meat. Smoothly textured and harmonious with good integration of the alcohol.
The wine keeps opening and opening, teasing and seducing the drinker slowly. A fine
waltz.
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Carabella Vineyard Inchinnan Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 250 cases, $54. Carabella Vineyard is a 49-acre site on the
southeastern side of Parrett Mountain. Winemaker Mike Hallock makes wines
exclusively from Carabella Vineyard fruit. Soils are gravelly volcanic. This
wine is crafted from clones 113, 115 and Wädenswil.
·
Some interesting
minerality runs through this wine. Luscious black cherry flavor, nicely spiced,
with exotic wood accents. A delicious wine with a silky and sensual presence that
dances on the palate.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2011 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $39. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic with bright scents of cherry and plum, spice, rose petal and herbs. Beautifully balanced and highly elegant, with flavors that echo the hose embraced by modest tannins. The texture is silky and the finish is satisfyingly appointed with red fruits and herbs. Score: 90. Reviewed June 9, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 150 cases, $54. A blend of “darker” clones from Carabella Vineyard which was originally part of the Inchinnan Farm, a hazelnut orchard owned by the McDonald family. This special cuvée honors their support. The stony soils are lie on a protected southeastern flank of the Chehalem Mountains. Seven blocks are fermented separately. Clones 115, 114, Wädenswil, and 777 (first time). 25% whole cluster. Aged 18 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Mike Hallock, winemaker. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherries, herb garden and bay leaf lead to a light to mid weight core of herbinfused red cherry and purple grape fruit flavors accented with spice. Elegant and very enjoyable now with modest tannins and bright acidity. Impressive wine in this challenging vintage. Score: 92. Reviewed March 29, 2014 ARTICLE »
2010 Plowbuster Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $20. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherries, strawberries and violets. The flavors echo the aromas in a moderately light style. A simple but pleasing wine that is soft in the mouth and finishes with a kiss of cherry. Consistently one of Oregon’s best valuepriced Pinot Noirs. Good. Reviewed May 11, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., $27. Barrel fermented, 100% malolactic fermentation, aged in about 15% new French oak. · Aromas and flavors of citrus, banana, vanilla and nuts. Slightly creamy and soft in the mouth with a good cut of acidity on the bright finish. Score: 88. Reviewed June 9, 2014 ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 550 cases, $37. 6 blocks including Pommard, Wädenswil, and Dijon clones. Each block fermented separately. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. The nose wows you with bright, perfectly ripe cherries and dark berries. Very polished and elegant in style, with delicious cherry and strawberry flavors accented with complimentary spice, cola and oak. A high class offering with beautiful balance that reeks of pinotosity. Still great the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Reviewed November 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Dijon 667 Clone Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 65 cases, $54. First harvest from 667 block. Yield 1/2 ton per acre. · Medium dark ruby color in the glass. Appealing aromas of darker cherries and berries with a touch of brown spice. Impressive attack of black raspberries with a hint of spice and toasty oak. Soft and smooth on the palate with admirable length. A seamless wine that tastes like the best berry jam you have ever had. I have rarely encountered a single clone 667 Pinot Noir this good. Needs a little time to integrate the oak. Very good. Reviewed November 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Estate Dijon 113 Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $54. · Light garnet color in the glass. Delicate aromas of cherry, floral display and brown spice. Very elegant and silky on the palate, with light weight but pleasing flavors of cherry and raspberry supported by fine-grain tannins. A very charming wine. Score: 92. Reviewed June 9, 2014 ARTICLE »
2010 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 150 cases, $54. Dijon 114,115 and Wädenswil clones cropped to ridiculously low levels. · Moderate light reddish color in the glass. Brightly perfumed with aromas of fresh cherries and sandalwood. Very soft and elegant with marshmallow tannins supporting a well ripened array of red fruits. This wine won’t overpower but it will seduce with a sneaky appeal. Not as big a wine in this vintage as usual, but still very charming. Reviewed November 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
15.7% alc., 350 cases, $37. Warm summer at this vineyard site. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon clones 113, 114 and 115 fermented separately. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely effusive nose composed of aromas of sweet Bing cherries, fresh raspberries, tea leaf and sandalwood. Delicious and intensely flavored black cherry bombast that is akin to Pinots from the warmer parts of the Russian River Valley. Despite its muscular nature, the wine retains a nimbleness and is neither roasted nor jammy. The alcohol never rears its head, but the acidity is slightly lacking on the relatively flat finish. A meal in itself that is hard to resist. Very good. Reviewed May 11, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Carabella Estate Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
15.7% alc., 90 cases, $54. A select blend of 2 barrels of Wädenswil clone, 1 barrel of Dijon 115 clone and 1 barrel of Pommard clone. The name comes from the vineyard site, formerly part of the historic Inchinnan Farm, a hazelnut orchard still owned by the McDonald family. A select blend from the Carabella Estate Vineyard. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. More earthy and savory than the regular Estate bottling and more reticent to reveal its charms. The nose is well nuanced with aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, mushrooms, spice and graham. Dusty black cherry flavors are complimented by savory herbs. Well-proportioned tannins and acidity, and a touch more refined and sophisticated than the regular Estate bottling. Not at all ponderous. Even better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Reviewed May 11, 2012 ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Dijon 76 Clone Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., 208 cases, $26. · Light straw color in the glass. Lovely scents of green apple, lemon zest, jasmine, vanilla and polished wood. Reserved but pleasing flavors of lemon, papaya, and apple. Fresh and crisp with an underlying minerality unadorned with oak. Hallock takes Chardonnay seriously and it shows. Good. Reviewed November 7, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 681 cases, $35. This wine is a blend of the entire vineyard. · Knockout fruity nose right out of the bottle redolent with hi-tone spicy plum and berry aromas. Delicious essence of perfectly ripe cherry and berry fruits offered in a moderately rich format supported by fine-grain tannins and complimentary mineral-driven acidity. The wine is smooth and easygoing with beautiful harmony. Still fine the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating a respectable longevity. Very good. Reviewed November 7, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Eva’s Garden Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., $39. · Similar to the 2010 Estate bottling but more vibrant and appealing with flavors of lemon curd, apple and peach. Soft and slightly creamy in the mouth with a long, very silky finish. Like this. Score: 90. Reviewed June 9, 2014 ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 150 cases, $54. 57% Wädenswil plus Dijon 115 and 114. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Picks up aromatic intensity in the glass over time offering a plethora of aromas of dark stone fruits, allspice, rose petals, and a hint of cut flowers. Delicious dark plum and blackberry fruit flavors with a bit of sauvage, with eye-opening mid palate intensity, yet still only hinting at its future potential. Very smoothly textured with amazing persistence on the prodigious finish. A benchmark Pinot Noir for Oregon in 2008 that will be nothing short of spectacular in five years. Reviewed November 7, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Mistake Block Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 90 cases, $55. In 1998, while planting Dijon 113 vines, some vines were mislabeled resulting in 13 rows of Pommard clone which gave some of the best wine from the vineyard in 2008. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. All the Pinot fruits are represented in the nose with some added floral interest and spice. Very tasty melange of dark red berries, black cherries and plums with an earthy undertone. Constantly intriguing, revealing nuances with every sip. Pleasingly smooth in the mouth with firm but silky tannins. I just love the seamless texture of this wine. Reviewed November 7, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Mistake Block Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 90 cases, $55. Pommard clone. · Moderate reddish-purple robe in the glass. Aromas of crushed strawberries, raspberries, sandalwood and vanilla pastry. The slightly confected flavors echo the nose with added notes of black cherries, cranberries and the faintest oak graham. Very soft in the mouth with pillowy tannins. Very good. Reviewed January 12, 2012 ARTICLE »
2008 Carabella Eva’s Garden Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $75. A selection of the best blocks on the Carabella site. Primarily 113 with some of the oldest 115 plantings and Pommard from the Mistake Block. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Spectacular nose with effusive aromas of fresh black cherries, black raspberries and spice. Everything you could ask for in a Pinot Noir. Vivid and spiced dark stone and berry fruits are beautifully blended into a layered fruit wonderland, the tannins are submerged, the mouth feel is silky smooth and the finish is generous and persistent. Score: 94. Reviewed June 9, 2014 ARTICLE »
2007 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley 10th Anniversary Pinot Gris
12.4% alc., $17. · Delicate and attractive scents of pears and honeysuckle. Bold pear flavor on the attack with hints of apple and citrus. Creamy with a tangy finish that features fine persistence. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
13.8% alc., 1,780 cases, $16. Sourced from 11 acres of estate dry farmed Pinot gris. · Slightly deeper yellow color than many examples. Shy aromas of pear and minerals. A bit atypical in flavor profile featuring roasted nuts, miso and honey. Very smoothly textured. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 1,800 cases, $39. From six blocks of the Carabella Vineyard planted to Dijon, Pommard and Wädenswil clones. · Demure aromas of red plums, cherries, minerals and exotic spice. Silky entry of tasty raspberry and strawberry fruits which are vivid and pleasing. Admirable grip on the clean finish. Very easy to like and immensely satisfying. Drink this one while you wait for the Inchinnan to develop. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 250 cases, $54. The Carabella Vineyard is part of the Inchinnan Farm, the hazelnut orchard still owned by the McDonald family and this cuvée honors the McDonald’s support. Seven blocks of Pinot Noir fermented separately. Dijon 114 and 115, Pommard and Wädenswil clones. The winemaker is Mike Hallock. · This wine needs plenty of time to open up and I would recommend decanting if you want to pop the cork now. Shy raspberry fruit nicely oaked on the nose. Richly layered berry and dark stone fruits with riffs of earth and meat. Smoothly textured and harmonious with good integration of the alcohol. The wine keeps opening and opening, teasing and seducing the drinker slowly. A fine waltz. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Carabella Vineyard Inchinnan Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 250 cases, $54. Carabella Vineyard is a 49-acre site on the southeastern side of Parrett Mountain. Winemaker Mike Hallock makes wines exclusively from Carabella Vineyard fruit. Soils are gravelly volcanic. This wine is crafted from clones 113, 115 and Wädenswil. · Some interesting minerality runs through this wine. Luscious black cherry flavor, nicely spiced, with exotic wood accents. A delicious wine with a silky and sensual presence that dances on the palate. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »