WINE

2009 Chatte d'Avignon Viognier & Roussanne Columbia Valley Oregon Rattlesnake Road Vineyard

Sourced from the Rattlesnake Road Vineyard in Arlington, Oregon, along the Columbia Gorge, this wine is inspired by the great white wines of the Rhône region of France (as well as by a friendly and approachable feline friend we made the acquaintance of during our last trip there). The 2009 version of this wine is a blend of 54% Viognier and 46% Roussanne.  A warmer vintage in 2009 results in a fuller, richer wine than in 2008, and a more classic representation of a white Rhone.  This wine has great food reach with both tropical and stone fruit qualities, as well as characteristic ginger spiciness.

$20 per bottle, 217 cases produced

2009 Chatte d'Avignon Roussanne Columbia Valley Oregon Rattlesnake Road Vineyard

The Roussanne from the Rattlesnake Road Vineyard in Arlington, Oregon, was planted specifically for us.  With the second harvest in 2009, we had enough to increase the percentage in the blend above, as well as to make a small amount of this standalone Roussanne.  Generally we’re not inclined to make a Viognier by itself due to its tendency to be flabby (hence the use of the Roussanne in the blend), but have no such reluctance with Roussanne given its beautiful expression.  A little more one-dimensional than the blend, but a very very nice dimension!

$24 per bottle, 49 cases produced

2008 Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton Distict Elvenglade Vineyard

This single vineyard Chardonnay from the Yamhill-Carlton District expresses a clear sense of place driven by vines planted on Willakenzie and Laurelwood soils. Lemon-pastry tones jump instantly along with a kiss of smoky, sweet oak. Underlying earth tones suit this beautifully. Nice finesse on entry, gains grip and lemon drop flavors as it moves to the middle and finish. A couple of hours of skin contact provides some fuzzy tannins on the teeth. Nice weight here, but the twangy tropical citrus edginess of the finish really makes this wine sing.

$24 per bottle, 129 cases produced

2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

A blend that incorporates the broad expression of the two very distinct Cost and Crawford Beck vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills, coupled with the diverse volcanic and sedimentary components from the Luminous Hills vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton District.  Cinnamon clove spice beneath lots of violet. Rather fine and graceful aromas. Nice movement and polish in the mouth. Quite airy. Gains depth and substance, especially acidity. Finishes with touch of sweet, dusty herbs. Nice length and material.

$24 per bottle, 397 cases  produced

2008 Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills

A celebration of the diverse soil types in the Eola-Amity Hills, this blend highlights the compatible characteristics of The Cost Vineyard in the southern portion of the AVA, a warmer site with 114 on Nekkia soils, along with the cooler and darker notes of the Crawford Beck vineyard, planted in 115 on Saum soils in the northern end of the AVA.  Good penetration and depth. Smoky tones along with botanical, pure earth/floral tones. Roses and peonies present. Creamy entry – more finesse and depth as it carries to finish. Lots of lift and cut on the fresh, penetrating finish. Firmly packed. Excellent stuffing. 

$28 per bottle, 95 cases produced

2008 Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Crawford Beck Vineyard

A single vineyard designate, all clone 115, from a cooler site on Saum soil, expressing darker fruit tones.  This site presented the opportunity for doing a high percentage of whole cluster fermentation as a result of the advanced lignification of the stems. Beautiful, tightly packed cherry blossom dominates the nose.  Exquisitely defined with nice penetrating richness, balance, finesse and subtle earthy spiciness add enhancement and complexity.  The finish is delicate, sexy and extremely lacy with uncommon length.

$35 per bottle, 73 cases produced

2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Reserve

The Seven of Hearts Reserve is made in a very small quantity each year.  Always our ultimate expression for the vintage, the 2008 Reserve captures many fine elements of this exceptional vintage:  elegance, structure, and engaging supple tannins.  Finely tuned scents of strawberry, roses, some turned earth and subtle spice.  This wine shows its presence with mouth-coating red fruits, polished structure and lacy flavors and a firmly focused finish that is tight, but really endures. Impressively structured with plenty of underlying silk, delivering something luxurious and full of finesse.

$42 per bottle, 69 cases produced

2008 Coupe's Cuvée Pinot Noir Dessert Wine Eola-Amity Hills Crawford Beck Vineyard

Starting with the distinctive Pinot Noir from the Crawford Beck vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, this wine is made in the traditional port method, using high proof brandy distilled from Pinot Noir grapes.  As such, one might expect heavier and more obviously sweet aromas, but this shows real nice elegance to it. A swath of Italian plum, cocoa, lavender, allspice and nutmeg emerge stronger and stronger as it sits in the glass. Rather mystifying, haunting flavors that possess super acidity and freshness for being large. Not fully sweet, almost semi-dry. Delicious and mouth-coating, but with nice briskness on the finish. Perfect fodder with chocolate.

SOLD OUT, 49 cases produced

2008 Luminous Hills Estate Grown Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District

A blend of high-toned fruit characteristics derived from the 667 Pinot Noir clone planted on higher elevation volcanic soils, along with the spicy, fatter, and darker notes from the 115 and Pommard clones planted on sedimentary soils on the lover elevations of Luminous Hills.  Spicy nose with pronounced dark tones. Plum-pepper notes, lots of youthful flamboyance, but good depth. Nicely detailed with impressive complexity. Acid is woven in nicely, but the finish is electric and very drawn-out, quite purple and again very floral.

$28 per bottle, 142 cases produced

2008 Luminous Hills Estate Grown Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District LUX

LUX is constructed from appealing combination of the Pommard and 777 clones of Pinot Noir.  The Pommard on sedimentary soil provides the broad bass note foundation, while the 777 on the higher elevation volcanic soil delivers a supporting role of high-toned fruit.  Significant persistence and drive with complexity and broadness of aromas that truly belie its color. Plum and red raspberry come out along with red flowers. Quite seductive fruit shines on the entry with some dusty earth and a hint of oak.  Good firm grip and steeliness, which holds everything together.  Reveals some turned earth qualities as it opens. The wine is brisk and vibrant as it heads towards a precise finish.

SOLD OUT, 71 cases produced

Contributions to tasting notes by Bryan Shuttleworth of The Cellar Door, Portland OR www.thecellardoor.com