Download the May 2011
Wine Club Newsletter
Arterberry Maresh – J. Albin – Rasa – Guardian Cellars – Rasa – Evesham Wood
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April – March – February – January
May 2011
Oregon Reserve Pinot noir Club Selections
Witness Tree Benchmark 08 $48
Club Price $40.76
Cellar 2011-2018
One of Witness Tree’s three Reserve Pinots, made from a tiny block of vines that sits on top of a small basalt outcropping. Winemaker Steven Westby describes the vines as producing wine with “the next level of quality, with depth, silky tannins, elegant and graceful.”
It’s dangerous to say that I’ll judge all future Witness Tree Reserve Pinots on the 08 Benchmark – the 08 vintage being so outstanding and all. But it’s that good, I have no choice. This wine is unstoppable. Seeming dark when it’s poured and smelled – lots of blackberries and black cherries -it bursts with red fruit, especially a sweet summer raspberry thing that held me captive in wine nirvana. Very velvet, the palate-coating texture is the perfect partner for the vibrant red fruit, earthy cream and cinnamon. Subtle tannins show up in the finish and help the flavors saunter on.
Omero Cellars
Corral Creek Vineyard 08 $36
Club Price $30.56
Cellar 2011-2014
Outstanding, age-worthy Pinot noir. This has the 08 profile I love: licorice and white pepper-accented black cherry, with juicy acidity and subtle crushed herbs on the finish. – Marcus
Omero’s 08 Pinot was a clear standout among the 100 wines at the recent Chehalem Mtn. trade tasting. Frankly, I expected the wine to be more expensive, especially since it comes from Chehalem’s Corral Creek Vineyard, planted in 1983. Only 10 cases available – that’s 20% of Omero’s whole production!
May 2011
Northwest Big Reds Club Selections
Basel Cellars Merriment 06 $50
Club Price $42.46
Cellar 2011-2015
This gorgeous Bordeaux-style blend is deep red in color, and has a plush, velvety texture. Citrus, candy and earthy aromas are evident. Smooth strong tannins structure the huge flavors of black cherry, vanilla, and smoke, setting the wine up for cellaring. Their top of the line red, made from the best barrels of the best sections of Walla Walla’s Pheasant Run Vineyard.
Merriment is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Aged 18 months in French Oak, this wine is a classic Bordeaux blend. Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot.
JB Neufeld Artz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 08 $32
Club Price $27.16
Cellar 2011-2018
Justin Neufeld’s Artz Vineyard Cab has a deep black red color with wonderful intensity all the way to the edge, reflective of Red Mountain pigments. It coats the glass with awesome density and viscosity. On the nose a penetrating black cherry aroma is supported by smoke, wild berries and roasted pan drippings. Plush and full on the palate with a refreshing acidity, this is a big wine, with well managed astringency. It’s an excellent example of pure Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
May 2011
Northwest New Discoveries
Club Selections
Gilbert Cellars Rose of Mourvedre 2010
Club Price $12.71
Drink Now
Red fruit infused with exotic hints of a Moroccan spice market – earthy cardamon, caraway, musk, turmeric, and cumin. It pairs perfectly with lamb kebabs dusted with a Ras El Hanout spice blend. The spices from the meat and the flavors of the wine play off each other in a way I’ve not tasted before. This wine just screams for grilled meat, a north African stew, couscous, or Greek food. P.S. – if you like French Rosé, you know Domaine Tempier. It’s also made from Mourvedre and it’s about $40. I’ll take the Gilbert.
Laura Volkman St. James Pinot noir 09
Cellar Price $21.21
Drink Now – 2013
This is the richest and plushest of Laura’s last three vintages of St. James. She took advantage of the riper 2009 vintage to make a balanced wine with big, upfront juiciness and smooth tannins. The St. James has her trademark aroma of incense, roses, and spice. It’s a bigger style than her usual Pinot — almost California big — and with plenty of acid to lift and round out the succulent blackberry, raspberry and cherry fruit flavors.
