Vineyard: Beaux Freres

OwnersMike Etzel, Robert Parker, Jr., Robert Roy
AppellationYamhill-Carlton District
StoryThe original estate vineyard planted by Mike & Jackie Etzel. Originally farmed conventionally but about 2002, Etzel began experimenting with non-conventional farming methods and today the entire property is farmed using biodynamic principles (not certified organic or biodynamic).
Dates Planted1987-1991
Acres23
VarietiesPinot Noir
ClonesPommard, Wädenswil
Rootstockown rooted
Trellis SpacingTight; 1 by 2 meters; Guyot pruned; vertical trellis system
ManagersMike Etzel

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2013 Beaux Frères The Beaux Frères Vineyard Ribbon Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

$90 ($81). 24- acre, tightly spaced vineyard planted by Mike and Jackie Etzel from 1987 to 1991. Vineyard is farmed biodynamically. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is more savory than fruity sporting aromas of sous-bois, rose and cherry. Rather simple but easy to drink, with mid weight flavors of red and black cherry, Asian 5-spice and a noticeable smoky oak overlay. Definitely better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, when the fruit had gathered more intensity and the oak had receded in prominence. Best to cellar this one a few years. Score: 89-90. Reviewed September 3, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Beaux Frères The Beaux Frères Vineyard Ribbon Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $90. 100% estate vineyard Pommard and Wädenswil clones on their own roots. 23- acre vineyard planted with tight spacing from 1987 to 1991 (average vine age 22 years). Biodynamically farmed. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very sexy aromas of fresh cherry pie glaze, exotic spices, ripe raspberries, sous-bois and sweet oak, becoming more exuberant over time in the glass. Intense mid palate attack of ripe cherry and black raspberry fruits with a whisper of oak in the background. Elegant and harmonious with juicy acidity and a grand finish. A very young wine with excellent long term prospects. Score: 92-93. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Beaux Frères The Beaux Frères Vineyard Ribbon Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., 1,900 cases, $72. Grown, produced and bottled by Beaux Frères. From estate fruit planted from 1987 to 1991 primarily to Pommard and Wädenswil clones on their own roots. The vineyard has been farmed following the principals of biodynamics since 2002. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of red cherries, rose petals and other floral notes, and lacquered wood. Light to mid weight flavors of cherry and cranberry with a hint of oak. Very pleasant to drinking and charming in character, with modest tannins and very bright acidity, but a bit shallow on the mid palate and finish. Clearly the wine suffers from ripeness challenges, but is a commendable effort in a very difficult vintge. About the same the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 88. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Beaux Frères The Beaux Frères Vineyard Ribbon Ridge AVA Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $80. Large formats available. First released in 1991. Primarily Pommard and Wädenswil clones planted on their own roots between 1988 and 1995 in a 23-acre vineyard. Farming is organic and biodynamic and the vines are not irrigated. · Moderately light reddish-purple color and slightly hazy in the glass (unfiltered). Riper fruit profile with aromas of dark plums and berries with notes of peat, tea leaf, and sawdust. Medium weight core of dark red and black fruits with a subtle stem, brier and savory mushroom accent. Rather austere and unappealing upon opening, but considerably better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Unique among Oregon Pinot Noir offerings for its “Burgundian” style with Oregon charm. Very good. Reviewed May 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Montage Vineyards The Etzel Vineyard Ribbon Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.81, <120 cases, $24.95. Clones 115 and 667 from the Upper Terrace of the Beaux Frères Estate. 100% de-stemmed, native yeast fermentation, reductive winemaking, aged on the lees for 18 months in 25% new French oak barrels. · Very shy nose hinting at strawberries, cherries, herbs and loamy earth, coming to life slowly in the glass. Delicate flavors of red berries and cherries with a touch of oak in the background. Simple, yet pleasant, this wine will appeal to lovers of feminine-styled Pinot Noir. Good. Reviewed January 27, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Beaux Frères The Beaux Frères Vineyard Ribbon Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., $80. Made from fruit grown on the original estate vineyard. Primarily Pommard and Wädenswil clones planted on their own roots between 1988 and 1995. The vines are not irrigated and farming is organic with some biodynamic practices. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light in color with a red tone. The aromatics are relatively closed, revealing little fruit but notable toasty oak. The wine offers more on the elegant palate, with moderately rich and pleasing flavors of strawberries, cherries and oak accents that linger on the juicy finish. Well-integrated acidity and tannins offer a harmony that predicts 10+ years of longevity. Stunning the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. There is nothing like older vine fruit. Reviewed January 27, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Cristom Salud Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 4 cases. This is a special bottling for the 2009 Salud Oregon Wine Auction. I bid and won a case of this wine. You can’t buy it! · Great scents of exotic Middle Eastern spice, cardamon and dark red fruits. Elegantly styled array of redder fruits that are nicely spiced. Bright and juicy with a big jolt of spiced cherry on the dry finish. Tantalizing like see-through lingerie. Crazy love. Reviewed January 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Beaux Freres The Beaux Freres Vineyard Ribbon Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., $75. · Deep, dark nose with penetrating plum, black cherry and oak perfume. Packed with tangy and plumy fruit, integrated tannins and brisk acidity on the finish. At present there is more earth and wood than fruit in the aftertaste. Muscular but not harsh. Excellent but not profound. Reviewed January 30, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

1999 Beaux Freres Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc.. · Super ripe fruits with a hint of alcohol dominate the aromatics. There is plenty of stuffing - darker fruits, anise and toasty oak. The finish is dry, stemmy and woody. With a predominance of tannins, alcohol and a paucity of acid, the whole package lacks balance. Reviewed March 27, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »