Vineyard: Carabella

OwnerMike Hallock
AppellationChehalem Mountains
Dates Planted1996, 1997, 2007
Acres58
LocationSoutheastern slope at 500 to 600 feet.
SoilsGravelly volcanic including Nedkia, Saum and Jory, with ample drainage.
VarietiesChardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir
Clones113, 114, 115, 667, 76, 777, Pommard, Wädenswil (2A)
ManagersMike Hallock

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2013 Winderlea Vineyards & Winery Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay

13.5% alc., 525 cases, $38. Sourced from Carabella Vineyard (43%), Hyland Vineyard (37%) and Thistle Vineyard (18%). Dijon 76 and 95, California 108 and 04. Aged 10 months in French oak, 17% new. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Shy but pleasant aromas of spiced apple, lemon creme and vanilla. Crisp, clean and sleek, with flavors of lemon and yellow apple, finishing with a tight cut of citrus-fueled acidity. Score: 91. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Cornerstone Willamette Valley White Label Chardonnay

13.5% alc., 300 cases, $40, screwcap. Sourced from Carabella Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains), and Gran Moraine and Willakia (Yamhill-Carlton). Dijon clones 76 and 95. Barrel fermented in French oak for 15 months, and 100% malolactic fermentation. · Moderately light golden straw color in the glass. Aromas of white-fleshed fruits, mango and a hint of gardenia. Bright, crisp and clean on the palate, with tasty flavors of lemon cake, pear, and apple backed by sound acidity. A note of mineral-driven flint and salinity is evident. Very easy to like, with appealing roundness. An excellent food wine. A good example of how far Oregon has come in producing world-class Chardonnay. Score: 91. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Kudos Single Vineyard Series Carabella Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., $30. A product of NW Wine Co. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels. · Light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Evocative perfume of dusty cherries and seasoned oak. Noticeable mid palate attack of fresh cherry and cranberry flavors with a citrus-driven, nervy finish. Straightforward, light, and easy to drink, this wine will work beautifully at the dinner table. Reviewed September 29, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $39. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic with bright scents of cherry and plum, spice, rose petal and herbs. Beautifully balanced and highly elegant, with flavors that echo the hose embraced by modest tannins. The texture is silky and the finish is satisfyingly appointed with red fruits and herbs. Score: 90. Reviewed June 9, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 150 cases, $54. A blend of “darker” clones from Carabella Vineyard which was originally part of the Inchinnan Farm, a hazelnut orchard owned by the McDonald family. This special cuvée honors their support. The stony soils are lie on a protected southeastern flank of the Chehalem Mountains. Seven blocks are fermented separately. Clones 115, 114, Wädenswil, and 777 (first time). 25% whole cluster. Aged 18 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Mike Hallock, winemaker. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherries, herb garden and bay leaf lead to a light to mid weight core of herbinfused red cherry and purple grape fruit flavors accented with spice. Elegant and very enjoyable now with modest tannins and bright acidity. Impressive wine in this challenging vintage. Score: 92. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay

13.5% alc., $27. Barrel fermented, 100% malolactic fermentation, aged in about 15% new French oak. · Aromas and flavors of citrus, banana, vanilla and nuts. Slightly creamy and soft in the mouth with a good cut of acidity on the bright finish. Score: 88. Reviewed June 9, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 550 cases, $37. 6 blocks including Pommard, Wädenswil, and Dijon clones. Each block fermented separately. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. The nose wows you with bright, perfectly ripe cherries and dark berries. Very polished and elegant in style, with delicious cherry and strawberry flavors accented with complimentary spice, cola and oak. A high class offering with beautiful balance that reeks of pinotosity. Still great the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Reviewed November 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Carabella Dijon 667 Clone Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 65 cases, $54. First harvest from 667 block. Yield 1/2 ton per acre. · Medium dark ruby color in the glass. Appealing aromas of darker cherries and berries with a touch of brown spice. Impressive attack of black raspberries with a hint of spice and toasty oak. Soft and smooth on the palate with admirable length. A seamless wine that tastes like the best berry jam you have ever had. I have rarely encountered a single clone 667 Pinot Noir this good. Needs a little time to integrate the oak. Very good. Reviewed November 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Carabella Estate Dijon 113 Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $54. · Light garnet color in the glass. Delicate aromas of cherry, floral display and brown spice. Very elegant and silky on the palate, with light weight but pleasing flavors of cherry and raspberry supported by fine-grain tannins. A very charming wine. Score: 92. Reviewed June 9, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 150 cases, $54. Dijon 114,115 and Wädenswil clones cropped to ridiculously low levels. · Moderate light reddish color in the glass. Brightly perfumed with aromas of fresh cherries and sandalwood. Very soft and elegant with marshmallow tannins supporting a well ripened array of red fruits. This wine won’t overpower but it will seduce with a sneaky appeal. Not as big a wine in this vintage as usual, but still very charming. Reviewed November 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Kudos Carabella Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.59, 317 cases, $30. Aged 8 months in 22% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Brooding aromas of dark red stone fruits, spice and oak. Impressive mid palate explosion of perfectly ripe red fruits wrapped in mild dry tannins, finishing with a striking intensity of cherry fruit. Very smooth in the mouth, with an ephemeral finishing tone. Very enjoyable wine at this price point. Very good (+). Reviewed February 22, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

15.7% alc., 350 cases, $37. Warm summer at this vineyard site. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon clones 113, 114 and 115 fermented separately. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely effusive nose composed of aromas of sweet Bing cherries, fresh raspberries, tea leaf and sandalwood. Delicious and intensely flavored black cherry bombast that is akin to Pinots from the warmer parts of the Russian River Valley. Despite its muscular nature, the wine retains a nimbleness and is neither roasted nor jammy. The alcohol never rears its head, but the acidity is slightly lacking on the relatively flat finish. A meal in itself that is hard to resist. Very good. Reviewed May 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Carabella Estate Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

15.7% alc., 90 cases, $54. A select blend of 2 barrels of Wädenswil clone, 1 barrel of Dijon 115 clone and 1 barrel of Pommard clone. The name comes from the vineyard site, formerly part of the historic Inchinnan Farm, a hazelnut orchard still owned by the McDonald family. A select blend from the Carabella Estate Vineyard. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. More earthy and savory than the regular Estate bottling and more reticent to reveal its charms. The nose is well nuanced with aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, mushrooms, spice and graham. Dusty black cherry flavors are complimented by savory herbs. Well-proportioned tannins and acidity, and a touch more refined and sophisticated than the regular Estate bottling. Not at all ponderous. Even better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Reviewed May 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Carabella Eva’s Garden Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay

13.5% alc., $39. · Similar to the 2010 Estate bottling but more vibrant and appealing with flavors of lemon curd, apple and peach. Soft and slightly creamy in the mouth with a long, very silky finish. Like this. Score: 90. Reviewed June 9, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Carabella Mistake Block Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 90 cases, $55. Pommard clone. · Moderate reddish-purple robe in the glass. Aromas of crushed strawberries, raspberries, sandalwood and vanilla pastry. The slightly confected flavors echo the nose with added notes of black cherries, cranberries and the faintest oak graham. Very soft in the mouth with pillowy tannins. Very good. Reviewed January 12, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Carabella Eva’s Garden Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $75. A selection of the best blocks on the Carabella site. Primarily 113 with some of the oldest 115 plantings and Pommard from the Mistake Block. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Spectacular nose with effusive aromas of fresh black cherries, black raspberries and spice. Everything you could ask for in a Pinot Noir. Vivid and spiced dark stone and berry fruits are beautifully blended into a layered fruit wonderland, the tannins are submerged, the mouth feel is silky smooth and the finish is generous and persistent. Score: 94. Reviewed June 9, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Daedalus Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

13.6% alc., screw cap. Tall Alsatian bottle. From four vineyards (Carabella, Croft, Mahona and Murto) cropped to 2 tons per acre. Fermented with five different yeasts in 50% stainless steel and 50% neutral oak. · Rather intense aromas of pear, baking spices and almonds. Light and delicate flavors of pears and honey with a creamy mouth feel and some length to the finish. Reviewed March 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley 10th Anniversary Pinot Gris

12.4% alc., $17. · Delicate and attractive scents of pears and honeysuckle. Bold pear flavor on the attack with hints of apple and citrus. Creamy with a tangy finish that features fine persistence. Reviewed March 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Daedalus Cellars Labyrinth Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 620 cases, $45. This wine is a cuvée of some of the best barrels in the cellar in any given vintage. Primarily Pommard clone with some Dijon 114 and Wädenswil clones from old-vine fruit sourced from Seven Springs, Maresh and Murto vineyards and younger fruit from Carabella Vineyard. Cold soaked for 7 to 32 days, 15% whole cluster fermentation, processed entirely by gravity, total skin contact 17 to 42 days, aged 14 months in 28% new French oak, unfined and unfiltered. · Aromas of toasty oak, hay, earth and barnyard dominate the demure dark fruits. The wine has a tasty core of black cherries and black raspberries with an underlying woodiness and a touch of citric peel on the persistent finish. The tannins are reigned in nicely. This wine should improve in the bottle over the next several years. Reviewed March 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

13.8% alc., 1,780 cases, $16. Sourced from 11 acres of estate dry farmed Pinot gris. · Slightly deeper yellow color than many examples. Shy aromas of pear and minerals. A bit atypical in flavor profile featuring roasted nuts, miso and honey. Very smoothly textured. Reviewed March 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 1,800 cases, $39. From six blocks of the Carabella Vineyard planted to Dijon, Pommard and Wädenswil clones. · Demure aromas of red plums, cherries, minerals and exotic spice. Silky entry of tasty raspberry and strawberry fruits which are vivid and pleasing. Admirable grip on the clean finish. Very easy to like and immensely satisfying. Drink this one while you wait for the Inchinnan to develop. Reviewed March 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Carabella Vineyard Inchinnan Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., 250 cases, $54. Carabella Vineyard is a 49-acre site on the southeastern side of Parrett Mountain. Winemaker Mike Hallock makes wines exclusively from Carabella Vineyard fruit. Soils are gravelly volcanic. This wine is crafted from clones 113, 115 and Wädenswil. · Some interesting minerality runs through this wine. Luscious black cherry flavor, nicely spiced, with exotic wood accents. A delicious wine with a silky and sensual presence that dances on the palate. Reviewed December 17, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Daedalus Cellars Nyarady Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 220 cases, $60. A blend of the best wine in the cellar from three vineyards: Carabella (Chehalem Mountains) 42%, Maresh (Dundee Hills) 38% and Seven Springs (Eola Hills) 20%. Dijon 114, Pommard and Wädenswil clones. 10 to 17 day cold soak, partial whole cluster fermentation, aged 15 months in 20% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. The name of this wine was auctioned to benefit the Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship Fund. Pablo and Lynanne Nyarady won the bid and named the wine in honor of Pablo’s 85 year-old father. Hess likens this wine to Labyrinth ‘squared,” meaning a little broader shouldered than the Labyrinth bottling. · The floral nose is highly perfumed with violets initially, evolving and becoming more expressive over time to reveal demure dark fruits, spice, oak and fir. Very plush in the mouth with plumy dark fruits, notable oak accents and an underlying earthiness and stemminess. The most striking feature of this wine is its rich and velvety texture. Reviewed March 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2002 Rex Hill Carabella Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc.. · Actually my second favorite of the tasting but not many tasters agreed. This wine had the whole package - five spice nose, silky mouth feel, and a lasting finish of spice-tinged cherries and berries. Reviewed March 27, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »