Vineyard: Momtazi

AppellationMcMinnville
StoryLocated in the McMinnville AVA of the Willamette Valley, this 200 acre vineyard is owned by Moe and Flora Momtazi and managed by Todd Hamina. First planted in 1998 with three blocks of Pommard clone, the majority of the vineyard is today biodynamically farmed.
VarietiesPinot Noir

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 Kelley Fox Wines Momtazi Vineyard “TIR” Mc Minnville Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 86 cases, $75. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Inviting scents of black cherry, seasoned beef and toasty oak. A bold and rich wine in a mid weight plus style with flavors of sweet black cherry and blackberry fruits. Packed with fruit, yet vibrant and refined with a plush mouthfeel, genteel tannins and a generous dark fruit fueled finish. When you drink a wine, you want to taste fruit and this wine delivers. Score: 93. Reviewed November 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Fullerton Momtazi Vineyard McMinnville Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.60, 200 cases, $60. Sedimentary soils, biodynamically farmed vineyard close to the Van Duzer corridor. Harvest Brix 23.9º-24.6º. clones are Dijon 113, 114, 115 and 777. Fully de-stemmed, ambient fermentation, aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose is not particularly appealing with oak-driven aromas of char and smoke dominating over time. Earthy and rustic, and even weedy, with a mid weight core of black cherry and black raspberry fruits underlain with mushroom flavor and an overlay of oak. The tannins are a little aggressive and the finish is mildly astringent. Score: 86. Reviewed February 2, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Kelley Fox Wines Momtazi Vineyard “TIR” McMinnville Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., 75 cases, $60, screw cap. Sourced from unique small block vines surrounded by Oregon oak trees. “TR” is Farsi for “star.” A Demeter Certified Biodynamic® wine. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose offers aromas of red cherry, cranberry, underbrush and oak spice and toast. The core of cherry and raspberry fruit has personality and is accompanied by subtle purple berry and plum flavors. Discreet in weight, with husky ripe fruit tannins, yet no astringency on the finish. A bit of complimentary oak plies the background. Score: 92. Reviewed November 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 St. Innocent Villages Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 1,621 cases, $23. The core of this wine comes from Vitae Springs Vineyard (56%), with contributions from Freedom Hill (6%), Zenith (28%) and Momtazi (10%). 2-day cold soak, fermented in stainless steel, aged 12 months in 14% new French oak, and bottled without fining. · The nose is pleasing with aromas of purple grapes, blackberries, cassis and oak. Mid to full-bodied frame of purple and black fruits. Forward and fruit-driven, with a well-matched backbone of suave tannins. A solid, everyday wine. Score: 88. Reviewed July 6, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Andrew Rich Verbatim Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 833 , $30. Rich’s blend that best captures the vintage and the expression of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Sourced from Ribbon Ridge, La Colina, and Momtazi Family vineyards. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Immediately appealing upon opening the bottle with fresh red cherry and berry aromas accented with notes of spice and sandalwood. Dances lightly on the palate, and delivers plenty of Pinot flavor. Impeccably balanced with supple tannins, finishing with a cherry focus that lingers. Captures the 2010 Willamette Valley vintage perfectly. Reviewed September 12, 2012 WINERY » 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 WINERY » 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 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Verve Momtazi Vineyard McMinnville Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 75 cases, $33. 100% de-stemmed with no crushing, aged 18 months in 35% new French oak barrels. Bottled March 29, 2010. · Very shy nose hinting of sweet dark fruits but showing more prominent aromas of pipe smoke, old wood and herbs. The flavors trump the nose with a hearty medley of dark red Pinot fruits wrapped in firm tannins and an appealing citrus lift on the finish. I would probably wait on this one. Good. Reviewed January 27, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Kelley Fox Momtazi Vineyard McMinnville Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $39, screw cap. Sourced from an 11-year-old block of 113 and 115 clones. Aged in 30% new French oak. · Scents of green olive, mulberry and pharmaceutical blow off over time to reveal subtle well-oaked fresh berry aromas with a hint of pine pitch. The wine really pumps out a panoply of berry flavors with a well-married oak component. Soft and demure, the wine is much better integrated with more pure fruit aromas and flavors the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Should blossom in a few years. Good. Reviewed December 14, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Pali Wine Co. Momtazi Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 150 cases, $44, screw cap. Clones 113, 114, 115 from this biodynamically farmed 200-acre vineyard. Aged 16 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · This is a charming wine with pleasing aromas of dark stone fruits and raspberries with an undertone of sweet oak. Ornate and well-delineated flavors of juicy cherries and berries with a subtle loamy undertow that is typical of the McMinnville appellation. Very slick with a soft texture much like a baby’s bottom. Everything sings in harmony with perfectly balanced t n‘ a. Still drank beautifully the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating age ability. Reviewed July 15, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Scott Paul La Paulée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $30, screw cap. Made from the finest lots of the vintage from Ribbon Ridge, Momtazi, Shea and Stoller Vineyards. · Darkest in color of the three 2007 wines. Very lovely nose that is deep and satisfying, featuring ripe strawberries, red plums, cherries and savory Asian spice. Tasty and focused dark red fruits with a hint of earthiness and oak. The mouth feel is silky and the whole package is very harmonious. Reviewed May 7, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Verve Momtazi Vineyard McMinnville Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.,150 cases, $33. Yields 2.2 tons per acre average. Pommard and 777. Biodynamic farming. 100% de-stemmed but not crushed. Fermented in one Rousseau 2-ton French oak open top fermenter. Manual punch downs. Minimal cold soak and average cuvaison of 12 days. Aged 18 months in 40% new French oak from Tonnellierie Rousseau. Bottled unfined and aged an additional 5 months in bottle. · On the nose there are darker-toned fruits with notes of pepper and forest floor. Tasty core of dark berry fruit elegantly presented with supple tannins. More body than the Stoller bottling and more persistence on the finish. A feminine wine that delivers a good dose of charm. Very good. Reviewed October 29, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Kelley Fox Wines Momtazi Vineyard McMinnville Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13% alc., 133 cases, $39, screw cap. Sourced from a 10-year-old block of Dijon 113 and 115 clones. Biodynamically-farmed vineyard. · Light garnet color in glass. Mineral-infused aromas of cherries with a whiff of iron, wet stone and funk. Discreetly composed core of earth-dusted dark red fruits, especially bright, juicy cherries. Moderate tannins with balancing acidity. Very good and recommended. Reviewed November 29, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Pali Wine Co. Momtazi Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 180 cases, $50, released November 2008. A biodynamically-farmed 220-acre vineyard located in the McMinnville sub-AVA of the Willamette Valley. Owned and farmed by Moe and Flora Momtazi. Clones are 113, 114, 115. · This wine has deep color but is lightly flavored. The nose offers aromas of black cherries, strawberries, briar and oak. The sweet dark fruit flavors are juicy and earthy but a bit dilute. An elegant style with supple tannins and a smooth texture. Reviewed July 9, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »