Tag Archives: single vineyard

Wine of the Day: Belle Pente Gamay Noir 2014 6-5-16

Belle Pente Gamay Noir, Belle Pente Vineyard, Yamhill Carloton 2014 750ML ($27.95) Buy Now: $24 special

Those who watch these pages closely know of affinity for Gamay. I love it all – from the ten Crus of Beaujolais and the Loire to the Valle d’Aoste, Upstate New York and – of course! – our home terrain of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. In turn, I nearly leapt for joy when Brian from Belle Pente swung by to taste the new releases and a Gamay came out of the bag.

Floral aromas and red-violet fruits leapt from the glass; the wine registers as a little on the light-to-medium side of the spectrum. Think of the structure of a Moulin-a-Vent with the fruit n’ flower attributes of Juliénas – broad on the palate, with ample spice, wild flowers, and red fruit on offer. A nice acid kick on the finish – all in great harmony. I’d take three bottles – one for right this very instant, one to have on hand just in case, and one for the cellar. Well done, Brian! -Tyler

Wine of the Day: Crowley Rose of Pinot Noir 2015 6-4-16

Crowley Rose of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $18 special

Welcome summer with the first ever release of Crowley Rose! This wine shows poise, balance and thought. It opens with a bright, fresh nose of white cranberries and dried ginger. On the palate is again a lovely red berry note with touches of fresh milk and black tea.

This rose is from the coolest single block in the Four Wines Vineyard. It was whole cluster pressed and underwent a slow malolactic fermentation (finishing at 13.68% alcohol and 3.4-3.5 pH for those inquiring minds).

The Four Winds Vineyard is within the McMinnville Coast Range. Planted in 1990 to 100% Pommard clone, the vines are all own-rooted. The soil is Jory-Nekiah (uplifted marine sedimentary loam and silts with alluvial overlays – an ideal soil type for Oregon Pinot Noir). The vineyard, as with all vineyards Crowley Winery works with, is dry-farmed (not irrigated).

Winemaker Tyson Crowley is the current president of the Deep Roots Coalition or ‘drc:’ The drc was formed around the idea that irrigation is unnecessary to successful (and classic) grape growing and negatively impacts resulting wines (pumping up alcohol and watering down the essence of the terroir, pun intended). The drc takes the firm stance for dry-farmed (non-irrigated vines). These vines are forced to dig their roots deep to search for water, thus delving into the truer terroir of the region while being less prone to the vagaries of day to day weather. As water scarcity across the West Coast grows in urgency, this mission of sustainability is becoming increasingly important. We are proud to carry the wines from many members, including (but not limited to): Ayres, Belle Pente, Brick House, Cameron, Crowley, Matello/Goodfellow and Westrey. -Suzanne

Wine of the Day: Elevee Three Martins Rose 2015 6-1-16

Elevee Winegrowers Three Martins Rose 2015 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

Another fine rose from Tom Fitzgerald at Elevee Vineyards, who is the winemaker and GM at Alloro Vineyards. The wine is all estate-grown Pinot Noir. It’s just a touch lighter than the ’14, the palate shows wonderful red berry notes, racy acid and just a little something that says, “hmm, I need another sip…” Perfect summer sipper. Try with shellfish, aged cheeses, and roasted vegetables.

Now, if summer would only start! Cheers!

-Troy

Wine of the Day: Owen Roe Chapel Block Syrah 2013 5-24-16

Owen Roe Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah, Yakima Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $49 special

This new vintage of the Chapel Block Syrah from the Red Willow vineyard shows poise and balance. There are overtones of dark chocolate and dark roast coffee layered with sweet spices and a hint of new leather on the finish. Unabashedly New World, the palate offers ripe berry and floral notes with a lingering chocolate taste. It has an excellent grippy texture to keep the rich body in check. I would cellar for at least 2-3 years before opening, though ideally this baby could go for 7-10. -Suzy

Winery note: “Aged in 44% new oak (100% French) for nearly 14 months. The blend is comprised of 100% Red Willow Syrah from both East and West facing slopes, from the Yakima Valley AVA.”

Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “Bright medium ruby. Musky, earthy aromas of raspberry, roasted strawberry, smoked meat and charred oak. Fat, sweet and deep, with good spicy lift to the very ripe flavors of plum, blueberry, dark chocolate and spices. A very rich, tactile Syrah with sexy sweetness but plenty of ripe, dusty tannins to support a graceful evolution in bottle. Ultimately richer than the Union Gap Syrah but also more tannic.”

Wine of the Day: Bergstrom Le Pre du Col 2014 5-17-2016

Bergstrom Le Pre du Col, Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 pre-arrival special, ETA Friday, May 27th

The Le Pre du Col (or ‘meadow on the mountain’) is a bright and fresh Pinot with plenty of body and acidity to spare. It opens with a bright zesty note of spice and herbs. The palate shows notes of purple flowers and red cherries with hints of iron and tobacco. I would give this a few years in bottle before opening or, if need be, 4-5 hours in a decanter before serving.

Le Pre du Col is planted to marine sedimentary soils in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. The winery describes the AVA as offering Pinots sweet cinnamon spice and ripe Oregon strawberry and cherry aromas.

While the 2014 is just hitting the market and has not yet been reviewed, Wine Spectator rated the 2013 vintage 95 points. -Suzanne