Vinopolpick Saturday – Oregon 2012 and Truchot

July 19, 2014
Josh Raynold’s Reviewsin Stephen Tanzer’s Latest IWC Report
Nothing but Praise for Oregon 2012 Pinot Noir
Don’t miss the rare Burgundy bonus section at the end!
“In the eyes of most Willamette Valley winemakers 2012 is a pinot vintage for the record books, and by all accounts the market is in agreement:  the wines have sold swiftly and in many cases are all gone at the wineries and even at the wholesale and retail levels in many markets.  A smaller than normal yield meant that the wines would be allocated, regardless, but as soon as word got out about the overall high quality of the wines all bets were off.  A number of retailers I’ve spoken to reported that they’re selling through their ’12s, especially those from big-name wineries, as quickly as they can get them, and that they could easily sell twice as much.
“The year started off slowly with budbreak occurring in the third week of April–a week later than normal–and there was scant rain through flowering, which resulted in a small fruit set.  Clusters tended to be small and tight, with small berries, which ensured an overall low yield.  The weather was dry and warm through July and August, meaning that there was no disease pressure.  There was also plenty of sunshine with no real heat spikes, which kept the uptake of sugar in the grapes steady and skin tannins in check as well.  Harvesting mostly took place between the end of September and the third week of October under picture-perfect conditions in which growers could harvest to suit their style, with no pressure from the weather to rush things or hang around waiting for something to happen, as in 2011.”Two thousand twelve was a much warmer and drier season than 2011–which was actually flat-out cold–and 2010 as well, so the wines of 2012 are markedly different in style from those earlier vintages….Broadly speaking, the Willamette Valley’s 2012 pinots are fleshy and fruit-dominated, with round tannins and forward personalities.  The fruit tends to the darker side of the pinot spectrum–think cherry and blackberry rather than strawberry and raspberry, much less cranberry and redcurrant–and this gives the wines massive crowd appeal.  The best wines also have the depth to age, so don’t be fooled by their accessible nature in the early going.  Still, I’d err on the young side with most ’12s, if for no other reason than to enjoy their boisterous fruit and velvety textures.”2012 Oregon Pinot Noirs Reviewed by Josh Raynolds


Ayres Estate Vineyard ‘Lewis Rogers Lane’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2012 ($34.95) $29 special, 7 bottles available

Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Sexy, expressive red and dark berry scents are complicated by five-spice powder, potpourri and smoky minerals. Pliant black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors are given spine and focus by tangy acidity and a hint of white pepper. The spicy quality builds on the clinging finish, which features supple tannins and echoing dark berry character. One could thoroughly enjoy drinking this fruit-driven pinot now, with a little air time.”

Ayres ‘Perspective’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2012 ($29.95) $26 special, 13 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid red. Intensely perfumed aromas of black raspberry, spicecake and fresh rose, with subtle mineral and woodsmoke nuances adding complexity. Fleshy and seamless, offering sweet red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors and building spiciness. The berry quality resonates strongly on the finish, which features silky tannins and suave cinnamon and star anise flourishes.”

Ayres Estate Vineyard ‘Pioneer’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2012 ($39.95) $33 special, 10 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Musky cherry, blackberry and candied rose on the nose, plus notes of musky earth and star anise. Sappy, smoky and deeply concentrated, offering sweet red fruit and licorice pastille flavors and showing an exotic Indian spice nuance. Opens up nicely with air, picking up a hint of cola. Finishes on a youthfully tannic note, with firm grip, lingering spiciness and excellent persistence.”

Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($24.95) $19 special, 13 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Pungent aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, anise and floral pastilles, with a smoky mineral quality adding lift. Shows very good depth and delineation to its sappy dark berry and bitter cherry flavors, gaining sweetness with air. Suave, focused and spicy on the gently tannic finish, which lingers with excellent tenacity and repeating berry and floral notes. Here’s another entry-level 2012 that’s punching way above its weight.”

Beaux Freres The Beaux Freres Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($89.95) $81.90 special, 15 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Bright violet color. Explosive, seductively perfumed aromas of black raspberry, potpourri, smoky Indian spices and cola, with an intense mineral quality adding lift and focus. Sweet, penetrating and deeply concentrated, offering an array of red and dark berry flavors and suggestions of five-spice powder, mocha and candied flowers. Reaches every corner of the palate, showing a suave blend of richness and vivacity, with no rough edges. Finishes spicy, smoky and extremely long, leaving an alluring dark berry liqueur note behind.”

Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $54 special, 16 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Dark ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of blackberry and candied cherry are complemented by suggestions of lavender and licorice. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering weighty dark berry and ripe cherry flavors and a touch of bitter chocolate. Expands and deepens on the finish, which features supple tannins and suave floral pastille qualities.”

Bergstrom Bergstrom Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($99.95) $85 special, 18 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 94 points
 “Vivid ruby.  Intensely perfumed dark berry, Indian spice and potpourri scents are lifted by a smoky mineral quality.  Sweet, deeply pitched black raspberry and cherry cola flavors are given lift and cut by juicy acidity and pick up a rose pastille quality with air.  At once rich and lively, finishing with superb clarity, palate-staining length and harmonious tannins.”


Bergstrom Wines Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir 2012 ($44.95) $39 special, 4 bottles available
Bergstrom Wines Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir 2012 375ML ($21.95) $19 special, 1 half-bottle available

Josh Raynolds 91 points “Dark red. Spicy raspberry and rose pastille aromas are lifted by a mineral quality and pick up a hint of orange zest with air. Offers juicy, gently sweet red fruit flavors, with hints of bitter herbs and cola building on the back half. Closes spicy and long, with a strong echo of red berries and smooth, well-knit tannins that sneak in late. This is the best example of Bergstrom’s entry-level pinot bottling since the 2008.”

Bergstrom Wines ‘Silice’ Pinot Noir 2012 ($69.95) $59 special, 3 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes candied red fruits, spicecake and incense, with a smoky mineral quality emerging with aeration. Juicy and penetrating on the palate, showing sweet black raspberry and rose pastille flavors and a touch of five-spice powder. Closes sappy and very long, with silky tannins lending grip. This fruit was sourced entirely from the de Lancellotti vineyard, which is owned by Josh Bergstrom’s sister, Kendall, and her husband, Paul de Lancellotti.”

De Lancellotti ‘Onelia’ Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $39 special, 7 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Bright ruby. Asian spice- and rose-accented scents of raspberry and cherry-cola, with a hint of smokiness in the background. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering sappy red berry and cherry compote flavors and a hint of licorice. Clings very nicely on the finish, which features silky tannins, repeating smokiness and an exotic floral pastille note. Balances power with vivacity smoothly and drinks very nicely right now with a bit of aeration.”

Evening Land Blue Label Oregon Pinot Noir 2012 ($21.90) $18 special, 3 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 89 points “Deep red. Spicy cherry and raspberry aromas are complemented by white pepper and fresh rose notes. Lively and focused on the palate, offering gently sweet red berry flavors and a hint of sassafras. Finishes on a subtly tannic note, with good clarity and a lingering bitter cherry note.”

Matello ‘Hommage’ Pinot Noir 2012 ($27.95) $24 special, 7 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Light red. Aromas of pungent red berries, cherry skin and dried rose, with a hint of musky underbrush in the background. Tangy redcurrant and rose pastille flavors show good focus and a hint of bitter rhubarb, which adds refreshing bite to the back half. Finishes on a gently tannic note, with repeating florality and very good focus and length.”

Patricia Green Cellars ‘Olenik Vineyard’ Anklebreaker Block Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $46 special, 16 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Vivid ruby. Pungent, deeply pitched aromas of musky red and dark berries, spicecake and sassafras, with a touch of smokiness in the background. Fleshy and fruit-driven on entry, then firmer in the mid-palate, offering bitter cherry and blackberry flavors that are given depth by a licorice nuance. Shows very good power and energy on the long, smoky finish, which is firmed by chewy tannins. Give this one some patience, or at least some time in a decanter. This wine is sourced from a section of the Olenik vineyard that’s planted to the Pommard clone.”

Patricia Green Cellars Balcombe Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($34.95) $29 special, 6 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Vivid ruby-red. Suave, mineral-accented raspberry and cola aromas are complicated by a sexy touch of candied flowers. Lively and alluringly sweet, offering vibrant red fruit liqueur and floral pastille flavors, intense spiciness and a hint of mocha. Finishes very long, with vibrant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors given grip by fine-grained tannins. As approachable as this wine is now, I’d wait another four years or so before diving in.”


Patricia Green Cellars ‘Estate Vineyard – Old Vine’ Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special, 13 bottles available

Josh Raynolds 91 points “Bright ruby-red. Ripe cherry and blackberry on the deeply perfumed nose, with notes of allspice and woodsmoke adding complexity. Smooth, broad and sweet on the palate, offering fleshy, mineral-tinged dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors enlivened by juicy acidity. Seamless and spicy on the finish, which betrays no tannins and shows excellent clarity.”

Patricia Green Cellars ‘Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $24 special, 11 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Fragrant aromas of strawberry and raspberry are complicated by suggestions of cola and dried rose, along with some peppery spiciness. Tangy red fruit flavors gain depth with air, taking a turn to cherry and licorice while maintaining vivacity. Nicely focused and balanced pinot with very good finishing thrust and spiciness. Here’s another “basic” 2012 bottling that’s performing above its station.”

Patricia Green Cellars Freedom Hill Vineyard Pommard Clone Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special, 9 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Ruby-red. Deeply pitched cherry, blackberry and Indian spice aromas are lifted by a captivating rose oil quality. Juicy and densely packed, showing serious power to its red and dark berry liqueur, cherry-cola and spicecake flavors. Coats the palate while coming across as energetic and precise. Finishes with very good vivacity and length, with chewy tannins adding structure and grip. Here’s a ’12 that confounds the generalization that this is a universally forward vintage.”

Purple Hands ‘Le Nouveau Monde’ Pinot Noir 2012 ($79.95) $69 special, 3 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Bright ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry, potpourri and woodsmoke are lifted by a zesty mineral quality. Juicy, spice-tinged red and dark berry flavors put on weight and gain sweetness with air. Lively and precise but concentrated too, finishing with excellent clarity and length and supple tannins that add grip.” ST
Winemaker’s notes: “Rich silky tannin of red, black and blue fruits laced in mineral earth balancing around layers of cinnamon spiced clove. 150 case production. Our favorite six barrels from the entire 2012 vintage. Two barrels from each the current Pinot Noir vineyards.”

Soter Vineyards ‘North Valley’ Pinot Noir 2012 ($34.95) $29 special, 5 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Vivid red. Fresh red and dark berry aromas are spiced up by white pepper and clove. On the palate, juicy raspberry, floral pastille and licorice flavors are lifted by tangy acidity. Silky and seamless on the incisive finish, which is firmed by taut, fine-grained tannins that fade smoothly into the wine’s juicy fruit. An outstanding effort, especially for an entry-level bottling.”

St. Innocent Villages Cuvee Pinot Noir 2012 ($27.95) $24 special, 13 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Ruby-red. Fresh cherry and dark berries on the nose, complicated by dark chocolate, dried rose, sassafras and peppery spices. Plush and broad but focused as well, with black raspberry and bitter cherry given a tangy edge by juicy acidity. Closes spicy and long, with an echo of cherry and fully integrated tannins. This vivacious pinot is, along with the excellent 2010, the best example of this bottling that I’ve had to date.”

Walter Scott Clos des Oiseaux Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special, 21 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Bright violet color. Scents of black raspberry and mulberry, with notes of smoky herbs and rose oil adding complexity. Plump, gently sweet dark berry and cherry flavors show good depth and pick up spiciness with air. This pliant, spicy pinot finishes with very good cut, soft tannins and lingering sweetness.”


Walter Scott Dumb Ox Pinot Noir 2012 ($44.95) $37 special, 2 bottles available

Josh Raynolds 92 points “(35% new oak): Brilliant ruby-red. Sexy, high-pitched cherry and black raspberry scents are complicated by cola, allspice and smoky minerals. Juicy, focused and pure, with gently sweet red and dark berry flavors putting on weight with air. Blackberry and rose pastille notes cling on the finish, which is firmed by silky, fine-grained tannins. Quite elegant and surprisingly approachable, but this has the balance to age. This fruit is sourced from an ungrafted block of Pommard clone vines.”

Walter Scott Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 92 points “(40% new oak): Brilliant ruby-red. Potent aromas of blackberry, cherry-cola, incense and smoky minerals. Sweet dark berry flavors show very good energy and focus, with a hint of licorice adding depth. The mineral quality repeats on the persistent finish, which features a suave floral pastille quality and smooth, slow-building tannins. This fruit, which is all Pommard clone, was sourced from a one-acre section of the vineyard; this is the first Freedom Hill bottling for the winery.”

Westrey Abbey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $36 special, 7 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 90 points 
“Bright violet color. Smoky cherry and dark berries on the nose, with hints of licorice and dried flowers building in the glass. Sappy and focused, offering bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. Finishes spicy and tight, with an echo of smokiness and strong tangy bite. Quite lively for a 2012: this shows the nerviness that I associate with better 2011s.”

Other 2012 Oregon Pinot Noirs Available Now

Missed by Josh Raynolds, but we find them worthy examples of the 2012 vintage

Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Reserve Series Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special, 6 bottles available
Winemaker’s notes: 
“2012 Nuthouse Pinot Noir comes from the low-elevation, warm, southeastern slope of our Lone Star Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Brilliantly garnet in color, the aromas are initially delicate and ethereal, hinting at fresh rose petal and red earth. As it opens up, more complex aromas emerge of dark chocolate, anise, and wild cherries. The mid palate is deep and creamy, poised against firm tannins and long, savory acid. You’ll want to drink it right out of the gate, as this 2012 vintage comes to you fully assembled, but don’t sleep on aging this little beauty, as she’s got many, many years to go in the bottle. Grilled venison loin with saffron white beans, almond romesco, and bone marrow toast.”Crowley Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special, 26 bottles available
Winemaker’s note: 
“The 2012 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has dark color and fruit notes to go with clean lines and decent complexity. In general, the conditions leading up to harvest were unique, including 90 days of no rain, but even warm temps (no extreme heat spikes) allowed good hang time and maturity. Though this wine strikes a richer chord, it also seems to have a fair amount of layering, possibly due to vines’ struggle for moisture. The 2012 also received (for the first time) our older vine Pommard from the Four Winds Vineyard, the Pinot counterpart to the Chardonnay. As with the Chardonnay, the tendency of the Pinot from Four Winds is to be leaner and exhibit mineral tones. This fruit certainly offsets the extreme dry year and helped keep this wine fresh and lighter on the palate.”Elemental Cellars Farrar Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($31.95) $26 special, 2 bottles available
Winemaker’s note: 
“There’s a ton going on here. Opening with buoyant blue and black fruit and black pepper accents, it expands towards both the red and black fruit spectrums, dishing out bing cherry, elderflower and dark chocolate notes. Makes you want to eat grilled duck. Now. Only 96 cases made.  Elemental Cellars is the personal label of Steven Westby, winemaker for Witness Tree. Steven has been telling us about this wine since he put it in barrel.”

Evesham Wood Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2012 ($27.95) $24 special, 21 bottles available
Winemaker’s note 
“This is in essence the reserve bottling to our Willamette Valley Pinot noir and quite a representation of the 2012 vintage. An intoxicating nose of dusty berries, dark cherry and raspberry, slightly sweet earthy shitaki mushroom with chewy tannins. 625 cases produced.”

Evesham Wood La Grive Bleue Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $26 special, 5 bottles available
Winemaker’s note
 “Sourced from our 2 acre estate block of Dijon clone that was planted in 1996. A bit more structured and shy than the Eola-Amity bottling, but with a bit of time red berry and cherry flavors, mixed darker berries, plum and violet unfold. 158 cases produced. Certified organically grown.”

Haden Fig Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $26 special, 17 bottles available
Winemaker’s note:
 “In February we bottled our 5 favorite barrels from Bjornson Vineyard which is located in the heart of the Eola-Amity Hills. This wine leaps from the glass evoking memories of a huge bowl of summer blackberries and raspberries in cream with dried sage notes, dark cherry and great length. 123 cases produced.”

Haden Fig Cancilla Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $26 special, 12 bottles available
Winemaker’s note: “This is our fourth year bottling a Cancilla Vineyard Pinot noir and perhaps the best yet. We continue to be impressed by this cool, late ripening site in the Northern Willamette Valley. Dark cherry and raspberry mingle with dried herbs, cocao powder and subtle sweet oak, finishing with fine, layered tannins. 148 cases produced.”

J Christopher J.J. Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($19.95) $16 special, 4 bottles available
Winemaker’s notes:
 “The wine is plenty dense and nicely textured on the palate, with an expansive and palate-coating character and fruit flavors of the ripe blackberry persuasion with blue fruit highlights. There’s bright acidity to help balance all the fruit, and little to no tannin – the wine goes down well even at this young age. It’s a bit of a fruit bomb that deserves a higher price tag.”


Ken Wright Cellars Bryce Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “CELLAR SELECTION “
 “The natural high acidity and underlying minerality of the Ribbon Ridge AVA are in evidence here. The primary fruit flavors are clear and juicy—raspberry and tart cherry. The wine feels chiseled and deep, with excellent aging potential. ”

Ken Wright Cellars Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 1.5L ($119.95) $89 special, 4 magnums available
Ken Wright Cellars Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 93 points 
“This Dundee Hills site captures the sweet, rich black cherry fruit flavors typical of the AVA, here highlighted with accents of fresh tarragon. It’s young, bright and focused, with a lingering finish that adds a pleasing pat of butter and a hint of vanilla.”

Ken Wright Cellars Savoya Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 92 points
 “Pomegranate and raspberry fruit are highlighted with sharp scents of orange flesh and peel. The buoyant acidity and overall tightness suggest that this will continue to evolve and improve over the next several years. It’s lightly spiced with a well-managed touch of new oak.”

Ken Wright Cellars Tanager Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “CELLAR SELECTION”
 “The Tanager ranks among the top three wines from Ken Wright in a superb lineup. A rich mix of Asian spices coat a sensuous wine with a rich core of ripe black cherry fruit. Seams of cola and sassafras run through the palate, and on into a lengthy and utterly delicious finish. Cellar this if you can keep your hands off it!”

Lemelson Vineyards ‘Six Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2012 ($21.95) $18 special, 21 bottles available
Winemaker’s notes: 
“Six Vineyards Pinot noir is farmed and produced using the same organic viticulture techniques and attention to detail as all of our Pinot noirs. The result is a high quality example of Pinot noir at a modest price. The 2012 may be our best Six Vineyards yet. With fragrant, spicy aromatics, the nose combines dried flowers, red currant, cherry compote and earth. Meanwhile, the silky, lithe palate intermingles spice and red fruit to create a vibrant reflection of a vintage that might, if the winemaker was not careful and attentive, produce heavy, high alcohol wines. Bottled for the first time under screwcap, this wine has a long life in bottle and can be stocked away by the case and enjoyed for years to come.”

J. Albin Lorelle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($19.95) $16 special, 11 bottles available

Ransom Selection Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special, 33 bottles available
Winemaker’s note: 
“A selection of four exceptional vineyards in the Willamette Valley, the 2012 Selection Pinot Noir reads like an idyll to its picturesque home. A rich garnet color in the glass, the wine opens with lush, vibrant aromas of black cherry, Nootka rose and forest floor. Savory flavors of elderberry and sarsaparilla balance a mineral vein and sweet earth on a palate deftly punctuated with fine velveteen tannins and juicy acidity. The finish is long and resonant. Exceptional now, we believe it will continue to evolve for at least a decade.”

Timothy Malone Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $27 special, 6 bottles available
Winemaker’s note 
“The TMW 2012 Dundee Hills PN went through spontaneous fermentation for both primary and malolactic fermentations. It received 16.5% new wood and received an 18 month elevage in barrel allowing it to be bottled without fining or filtering.”

Twig & Twine Bieze Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special, 13 bottles available
Made by Walter Scott Wines.  50 cases produced.

Vincent Armstrong Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($37.95) $33 special, 1 bottle available
Winemaker’s note: 
“The 2012 Vincent Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard is our top selection from this excellent Ribbon Ridge vineyard, owned by friends Doug and Michele Ackerman. Yet again the blend is two barrels, one from the 115 block lower in the vineyard and one from the 667 block higher up. This year both lots of wine had exceptional power, with the 667 providing a more high toned, floral element. The final blend shows spicy aromatics and with plum flavors, classic Ribbon Ridge area characteristics. I think it’s our best Armstrong bottling yet.”

Arriving Tuesday
Chapter 24 2012 Pinot Noir

Chapter 24 Two Messengers Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $26 special 12 bottles available
From the winery
 “Our goal with the Two Messengers is to explore the meeting point and harmony that makes wine so pleasurable. For 2012 that meant drawing from multiple sites and their various personalities. Together they forged a wine tasting like fresh red cherries scented with floral and forest floor notes. Sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”Chapter 24 The Fire Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $51.90 special 6 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 92 Points “Vivid ruby.  Sexy aromas of strawberry, raspberry and Asian spices, with a strong floral topnote.  Taut red fruit flavors flesh out with air and show a deeper, sweeter cherry quality, with tangy acidity adding lift.  Shows excellent clarity on the subtly tannic finish, with the cherry and spice notes repeating.”
Chapter 24 The Flood Pinot Noir 2012 375ml ($31.95) $27 special 12 bottles available
Chapter 24 The Flood Pinot Noir 2012 750ml ($61.95) $54 special 12 bottles available

Josh Raynolds 93 Points “Vivid ruby.  Powerful aromas of dark berry preserves, cola, licorice and lavender are energized by a bright mineral flourish.  Palate-staining boysenberry and black raspberry flavors are given bite by a hint of blood orange.  Sweet and broad on the long, sappy finish, which repeats the floral note and shows just a trace of tannins.”

Chapter 24 The Last Chapter Pinot Noir 2012 ($99.95) $79 special 6 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 94 Points “Vivid ruby-red.  Heady, exotically perfumed aromas of dark berry liqueur, cherry-cola, Asian spices and potpourri.  Densely packed yet lithe, offering palate-staining red and dark berry and spicecake flavors that gains sweetness and vivacity with air.  Distinctly fresh and supple on the gently tannic, incisive finish, which leaves notes of allspice and candied flowers behind.”

A Rare and Exclusive Special Bonus Offer

Burgundy Pinot Noirs

Jacky Truchot – Domaine Truchot-Martin

We are excited to offer below very limited release wines from Jacky Truchot.  Most of his production centers on vineyards in Morey-Saint-Denis.  Truchot studied traditional winemaking under his cousin, Henri Mauffre, in the 1960s and 70s.  When Mauffre passed away in 1978, Truchot purchased his estate and renamed it Domaine Truchot-Martin.  He continued quietly following the practices of his cousin without modernization to produce classic wines.  His wines were frequently overlooked by reviewers looking for more bombastic and modern styles. In 1985, he met Peter Weygandt and his wines inspired Weygandt to start his importation business.  His wines are pure terroir expressions from old vines producing high yields.  He believed restricting yields was unnecessary due to the age of his vines and that it would negatively alter his wines’ feminine style.  The wines were bottled unfined and unfiltered.  His wines attained cult status when he announced that the 2005 vintage would be his last.  His war injuries and age made working in the vineyards too difficult.  Truchot sold most of his vineyards to Francois Feuillet’s estate, though he still produces tiny amounts of wine from his remaining parcel in the Sorbes vineyard.

Jacky Truchot – Domaine Truchot-Martin Wines Arriving July 25th

23 bottles total – just released from a local trade cellar


Jacky Truchot Morey-St-Denis Les Blanchards Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available

Jacky Truchot Morey-St-Denis Clos Sorbes Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available

Jacky Truchot Morey-St-Denis Les Ruchots Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available

Jacky Truchot Morey-St-Denis Vieilles Vignes Premier Cru 2005 ($799.95) $699 special 3 bottles available

Jacky Truchot Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Combottes Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available

Jacky Truchot Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available

Jacky Truchot Charmes-Chambertin Vieille Vignes 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available

Jacky Truchot Clos de la Roche Vieille Vignes 2005 ($1199.95) $999 special 2 bottles available