Vineyard: Phelps Creek Estate

OwnerRobert Morus
AppellationColumbia Gorge
StoryLong-time vigneron consultant Alexadrine Roy of Gevrey-Chambertain directs winemaking and viticulture at Phelps Creek. Vineyard is organically and dry farmed.
Dates Planted1990
SoilsAncient volcanic soils
VarietiesPinot Noir
Clones115, Pommard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2018 Phelps Creek Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Oregon Pinot Noir

Unreleased, unlabeled bottle. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Alluring aromas of black cherry and mushroomy earth. Light to mid-weight in sap and quite fruit forward, displaying flavors of purple grape, cherry and spice. Excellent harmony with notable elegance, and a substantial grip of black cherry fruit that persists on the lengthy finish. More desirable when sampled the following day from a previously opened bottle with more prancing fruit engaged with very fine-grain tannins and bashful oak. Score: 94. Reviewed May 25, 2020 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Phelps Creek Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Oregon Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 264 cases. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. A complex nose offers scents of cherry, earthy flora, and oak-driven spice and toast. Charming black cherry and black raspberry fruit flavors in a middleweight style backed by noticeable oak. Supportive and integrated tannins with a sleek and silky mouthfeel and a grand finish that leaves an impression. Score: 92. Reviewed May 25, 2020 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Phelps Creek Vineyards Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 892 cases, $34. Estate grown Pommard, 115 and 777 clones. Barrel aged in French oak, 15% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. This is an embracing wine, offering aromas of black cherry, raspberry, clove and burnt tobacco. Medium bodied, with noticeable depth of black cherry essence making an impression on the mid palate and finish. Lifted and lively, with a silky texture and supportive toasty oak, this refreshing wine offers immediate gratification but has enough backbone to please for several years. Score: 90. Reviewed February 1, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Phelps Creek Vineyards “Beehive” Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 117 cases, $38. Estate grown. Sourced from Dijon 777 block that was originally home to abandoned beekeeper boxes before vines were planted. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, 20% new, 80% second-use. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Intriguing aromas of black cherry, cola, spice and forest floor hold up majestically over considerable time in the glass. Flat-out delicious and very showy, with a mid weight plus core of black cherry, spice, dark chocolate and cedar flavors. Both plush and smooth on the palate with balanced tannins, skillful oak management, and an incredibly glorious cherry finish. Even better when tasted several hours later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Enjoy this one for for its exuberant cherry fruit now. Score: 94. Reviewed February 1, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Phelps Creek Vineyards “Lynette” Columbia Gorge Chardonnay

13.8% alc., 296 cases, $38. Owner Robert A. Morus’ wife is named Lynette. Estate grown Dijon clones, barrel fermented. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. The nose is slow to reveal aromas of citrus blossom, baked apple, apple core and vanilla. Flavors of melon, Meyer lemon and salted apple are seasoned with a light touch of oak. Crisp and uplifting, yet refined and balanced. Score: 88. Reviewed April 22, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Phelps Creek Vineyards “Cuvée Alexandrine” Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 416 cases, $54. Winemaker Alexandrine Roy selected the finest 15 barrels of wines made from estate fruit in 2014 for this wine. Harvest Brix 23.8º. Clones are Pommard, 115 and 777. Native yeast fermentation. Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is remarkably complex, offering scents of dark red and black cherry and berry, rose petal, aged leather, and turned earth. A noticeable contrast to the “Beehive” bottling, with more structure, more savory and earthy facets, less flashy fruit, and slightly more oak contribution at this young age. A very sophisticated wine that is clearly built to age. The mid weight flavors of black raspberry and blackberry are set off by notes of spice and toast and emerge slowly in the glass over time. The finish is uncommonly generous as all great wines are. When tasted several hours later, the wine was more giving, indicating that it should be decanted if drunk now, but will benefit from more time in the cellar. Still evolving when tasted from an opened bottle two days later. Enjoy this one for its complexity and longevity. Score: 96. Reviewed February 1, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Phelps Creek Vineyards “Corduroy” Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir Blanc

13.7% alc., 53 cases, $59. Dijon 115 from the Homestead Block in the Estate vineyard, as the first and highest acid pick of the season. Harvest Brix 23.3º. Fermented in oak barrel, 50% new, on the lees with battonage as needed. · Very light white pear color in the glass. Aromas of cut apple, pear, melon and warm waffle are fresh and appealing. Sleek on the palate with good verve, offering flavors of pear, melon, lychee, nutty oak, lees, and even a bit of lemon-lime that shows up on the finish. Easy to like, with a good cut of acidity on the finish and some length of appeal as well. The flavor profile is similar to Pinot Noir’s white brethren, Pinot Gris. One of the best examples of Pinot Noir Blanc from Oregon. Score: 90. Reviewed February 1, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 244 cases, $54. A selection of the finest estate barrels. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, cranberry, petrol and cigar smoke lead to a light to mid weight wine offering delicate, even shallow, flavors of cherry and red berries. The tannins are firm yet silky, making for easy drink ability. The oak treatment stands out a bit and the finish is pleasant but modest. This bottling is usually a stunner, but this bottle was not as good as another previously reviewed. Score: 89. Reviewed October 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 244 cases, $54. Pommard and Dijon 115 and 777. Harvest Brix 23.8º. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 25% new. · Not tasted as part of vertical tasting at winery. Previous tasting revealed following comments. Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. An earthy, savory nose with hints of black cherry, BBQ sauce and oak. Quite elegant on the palate with a deep black cherry flavor accented with dried herbs and anise-laced oak. Very charming now, but not fully expressive, and more giving the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Best to cellar a year or two. Do I dare say, “Burgundian?” Score: 92-93. Reviewed July 28, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very sexy nose replete with hi-tone aromas of purple berries and plum sauce. Mid weight plus flavors of black raspberry, marionberry and spice. The most intensely sappy wine in the lineup with a big mid palate attack and a dreamy finish of remarkable length. The oak is nicely integrated. The wine is still young, with some unresolved tannins but the future is bright. Score: 93-94. Reviewed July 28, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

$49 · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Sexy and alluring in the glass, with a panoply of spicy cherry fruit, crafted with admirable tannin support and juicy acidity. This is one of those Pinot Noirs that grabs your attention and your heart. Score: 94+. Reviewed April 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Phelps Creek Vineyards “Corduroy” Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir Blanc

$59. You might balk at the price of this wine but it is a wine with serious intentions that is one of the most stunning examples of this little-produced style of Pinot Noir. · Strawberry, white peach, pear and spice aromas and flavors are vibrant and clean. Moderately rich with good structure and finishing goodness. Score: 92-94. Reviewed April 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Phelps Creek Vineyards Crest Block Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 80 cases, $N/A. This block is west of the winery on a windward slope absorbing the blunt of strong breezes leading to slight dehydration and thicker skin thickness bringing more concentration to the wine. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Perfumed with fresh crushed red berries, oak and rose petals. Delicious mid weight essence of dark red berries with hints of cherry and pomegranate. Nicely integrated tannins, lively acidity and complimentary oak in the background. A thoroughly enjoyable wine that can be drunk now but has the goods to improve in the cellar. Score: 93. Reviewed July 6, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.8% alc.. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Gorgeous nose filled with bright aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, spice and a hint of toasty oak. Very luscious considering 2011 was a very cool vintage, offering a plethora of dark fruits framed by firm tannins that create a mild astringency on the finish. This wine has a long life ahead. Score: 93-94. Reviewed July 28, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Phelps Creek Vineyards “Regina” Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 220 cases, $34. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of red cherry, beef and soy. Light to mid-weight flavors of red cherry and cranberry backed by lively acidity and suave tannins. Soft in the mouth and easy to drink, with good oak integration. Nothing to complain about, but nothing special. Score: 88. Reviewed July 6, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $50. Fourth generation Burgundian winemaker Alexandrine Roy joins Phelps Creek in Hood River, Oregon, each fall after placing her Gevrey-Chambertain wines in barrel. This wine is made from a selection of estate fruit. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Elusive aromas upon opening that emerge over time in the glass to reveal scents of cherry, raspberry and vanilla. Intensely flavored on the mid palate and finish exhibiting ripe cherry and raspberry fruits with a little dash of herbs and earth. A striking wine that has the tannins in the forefront at this young age, but is uniquely interesting. The finish is particularly noteworthy for its persistence and charm. Even better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This wine has obvious French breeding and will require patience. Over time, there will be plenty to discover. Score: 94. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

Unlabeled bottle. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasing aromas of cherry, raspberry and spice. More fruit-driven and less evolved than the 2007 and 2008 vintages, with discreetly concentrated flavors of cherry and dark red berries with a touch of wood spice, and a firm, but not intrusive tannic backbone. Score: 90-91. Reviewed July 28, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Bolder, with more aromatic and flavor intensity than the 2007 vintage. Uplifting scents of cherry, dried rose petal and spice. Highly flavorful, yet elegant, with a core of black cherry, cranberry and Damsel plum fruits. The tannins are silky and the finish is noticeably long and generous. Score: 92-93. Reviewed July 28, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

French vigneron Alexandrine Roy leaves her estate in Gevrey-Chambertin to craft this special wine made from hand-selected rows, using native yeast and foot punch downs. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Delicate and demure, but enough fresh fruit flavor to hold your interest, and nicely reflecting this very cool vintage. Score: 90-91. Reviewed April 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Phelps Creek Vineyards Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.. Inaugural vintage. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Inviting aromas of cherry, cranberry, spice and sandalwood. Light to mid weight red fruits framed by soft tannins and bright acidity, finishing with a pleasing kick of spice. Score: 90. Reviewed July 28, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Phelps Creek Vineyards Becky’s Cuvee Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $20. A blend of Columbia View, Jewitt Creek, Wy’east and Phelps Creek Estate vineyards. · Aromas of grapes, red berries, flowers, chalk and cola. The fruit is very delicate and flat and carries a vegetal note. Flamboyant tannins and sharp acidity. Reviewed March 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »