Dec 30, 2022
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Maysara
| Owner(s) | Flora Momtazi, Moe Momtazi |
| Web site | www.maysara.com |
| Link to this site |
Moe and flora Momtazi fled from Iran when the Shah was deposed and Khomeni came into power. The escaped on a motorcycle, with Flora riding on the back, pregnant with their first child. The Momtazis bought 532 acres of abandoned wheat farm in McMinnville, Oregon. Starting from scratch and without the use of any chemicals, planting began in March of 1998 consisting of self-rooted Pommard clone Pinot Noir totaling 13 acres. In 1999, 120,000 plants were grafted in greenhouses and later planted at the end of summer. Today over 200 acres are planted. The first vintage arrived in 2001.
Farming has been holistic from the beginning strictly employing organic and biodynamic methods. Compost plays an important role in achieving long-term earth and vine health. The property is very impressive (the largest Demeter-certified, biodynamically farmed vineyard in Oregon), and I highly recommend you visit for a tour and tasting.
In 2012, a new winery was under construction, consisting of over 40,000 square feet.
The Momtazi's daughter, Tahmiene, is the winemaker. The portfolio includes whites (Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling) and Pinot Noir (currently five different bottlings plus a rosé). An inexpensive offering, Three Degrees Pinot Noir, is very popular. The wines are available for sale on the winery's website. Tasting is available Monday through Saturday from 12:00 to 5:00. 503-843-1234.
Articles About Maysara
Reviewed Wines
2009 Maysara Jamsheed McMinnville Oregon Pinot Noir
13.7%
alc., 8,722 cases, $25, screw cap. Jamsheed was an ancient Persian
King able to peer into his wine chalice and glimpse his entire kingdom.
Dijon and Pommard clone vines planted on a variety of soil tyhpes and
elevations within the Momtazi Vineyard. Aged 11.5 months in 8% new
French oak barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass.
Bright aromas of fresh pie cherries, strawberries, red rose petals, bay leaf and
oak. Flavors of dark cherries, ripe strawberries and a hint of plum, anise and
oak, supported by supple tannins and bright acidity. Soft in the mouth and easy
to drink now. Very good (-).
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Maysara Estate Cuvée McMinnville Oregon Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 919 cases, $32, screw cap. Clones 113, 114, 667,
777 and Pommard. Aged 12 months in 30% new French oak
barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Very
appealing aromas evolve with conviction on the nose which
shows a perfume of dark red cherries and berries, dried herbs
and complimentary oak. Mid weight flavors of perfectly ripe Bing cherries and
raspberries wrapped in ripe fruit tannins with some persistence on the juicy
finish. A refined and rounded wine that is very enjoyable.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2008 Maysara Estate Asha McMinnville Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 580
cases, $39, screw cap. Aged 22 months in 40% new French oak barrels.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Complex aromatic profile offering
scents of dark cherries and berries, rose hips tea, potpourri and dark chocolate.
Discreetly concentrated core of very ripe cherries, berries and plums with an
undertone of brown spices and sassafras exhibiting a long, hi-strung, citric-laced
finish. Should evolve beautifully over the next 5 to 10 years. Very good (+).
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2007 Maysara Jamsheed McMinnville Pinot Noir
$25. According to Persian legend,
King Jamsheed was able to observe his entire realm by peering into his full wine goblet.
This is a fitting name for a wine that is a blend from every block of four to 10 year old
vines in the estate vineyard including Pommard and Dijon clones. A combination of free
run and press wine, 24% whole cluster fermentation, native yeast fermentation, aged in
8% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
A lighter-styled Pinot showing aromas and
flavors of dark plums, blackberries and cassis. Appealing spice compliments the fruit and
lively acidity provides a refreshing finish. A good daily drinker.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Maysara Estate Cuvée McMinnville Pinot Noir
$32. Multiple Dijon clones with
some Pommard predominately 9-year old vines. 90% de-stemmed, two week native
fermentation, all free run juice, aged in 40% new French oak.
·
A very young wine that will
benefit from more bottle age. Lovely cherries, raspberries, pomegranates and spice
elegantly presented with fine-grained tannins and respectable acidity.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Maysara Delara McMinnville Pinot Noir
$50. Delara is a Persian word that
translates as “capture one’s heart.” Represents the entire clonal selection of the
Momtazi Vineyard (more than half is Pommard and Dijon 115). 80% de-stemmed, 2-3
week native fermentation, free run wine aged in 30% new French oak, racked once off its
lees in 13 months and then bottled. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
A darker, more structured
wine with great fruit intensity. A panoply of berry aromas accented by a hint of spearmint
and roseate scents. Richly layered with jammy dark fruits and mouth coating tannins.
From an age-worthy vintage, this wine will benefit from decanting or another few years in
the cellar.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2009 Maysara Jamsheed McMinnville Oregon Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 8,722 cases, $25, screw cap. Jamsheed was an ancient Persian King able to peer into his wine chalice and glimpse his entire kingdom. Dijon and Pommard clone vines planted on a variety of soil tyhpes and elevations within the Momtazi Vineyard. Aged 11.5 months in 8% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Bright aromas of fresh pie cherries, strawberries, red rose petals, bay leaf and oak. Flavors of dark cherries, ripe strawberries and a hint of plum, anise and oak, supported by supple tannins and bright acidity. Soft in the mouth and easy to drink now. Very good (-). Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Maysara Estate Cuvée McMinnville Oregon Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 919 cases, $32, screw cap. Clones 113, 114, 667, 777 and Pommard. Aged 12 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Very appealing aromas evolve with conviction on the nose which shows a perfume of dark red cherries and berries, dried herbs and complimentary oak. Mid weight flavors of perfectly ripe Bing cherries and raspberries wrapped in ripe fruit tannins with some persistence on the juicy finish. A refined and rounded wine that is very enjoyable. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2008 Maysara Estate Asha McMinnville Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 580 cases, $39, screw cap. Aged 22 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Complex aromatic profile offering scents of dark cherries and berries, rose hips tea, potpourri and dark chocolate. Discreetly concentrated core of very ripe cherries, berries and plums with an undertone of brown spices and sassafras exhibiting a long, hi-strung, citric-laced finish. Should evolve beautifully over the next 5 to 10 years. Very good (+). Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2007 Maysara Jamsheed McMinnville Pinot Noir
$25. According to Persian legend, King Jamsheed was able to observe his entire realm by peering into his full wine goblet. This is a fitting name for a wine that is a blend from every block of four to 10 year old vines in the estate vineyard including Pommard and Dijon clones. A combination of free run and press wine, 24% whole cluster fermentation, native yeast fermentation, aged in 8% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · A lighter-styled Pinot showing aromas and flavors of dark plums, blackberries and cassis. Appealing spice compliments the fruit and lively acidity provides a refreshing finish. A good daily drinker. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Maysara Estate Cuvée McMinnville Pinot Noir
$32. Multiple Dijon clones with some Pommard predominately 9-year old vines. 90% de-stemmed, two week native fermentation, all free run juice, aged in 40% new French oak. · A very young wine that will benefit from more bottle age. Lovely cherries, raspberries, pomegranates and spice elegantly presented with fine-grained tannins and respectable acidity. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Maysara Delara McMinnville Pinot Noir
$50. Delara is a Persian word that translates as “capture one’s heart.” Represents the entire clonal selection of the Momtazi Vineyard (more than half is Pommard and Dijon 115). 80% de-stemmed, 2-3 week native fermentation, free run wine aged in 30% new French oak, racked once off its lees in 13 months and then bottled. Unfined and unfiltered. · A darker, more structured wine with great fruit intensity. A panoply of berry aromas accented by a hint of spearmint and roseate scents. Richly layered with jammy dark fruits and mouth coating tannins. From an age-worthy vintage, this wine will benefit from decanting or another few years in the cellar. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »