January 1, 2009
Join The Crew!
|
|
Argyle
| Owner(s) | Lion Nathan |
| Web site | www.argylewinery.com |
| Link to this site |
Established in 1987, Argyle farms over 350 acres in both the Dundee Hills and Eola Hills-Amity District AVAs. The co-founders are Texan Rollin Soles and Australian Brian Croser. Rollin Soles earned a Master’s Degree in Enology at University of California Davis and met Croser while working in Australia. In 2000, Croser’s Petaluma Winery in Australia purchased Argyle, and then was taken over by drinks giant Lion Nathan in 2001. Soles is the general manager and winemaker at Argyle.
The winery’s focus is on farming vintage-driven wines from great sites. 500 acres of vineyards are currently under the direction of viticulturist Allen Holstein. The three major vineyards are the 120-acre Knudsen Vineyard planted in 1972-1974, the 8-acre Stoller Vineyard planted in 1995, and the 160-acre Lonestar Vineyard located 15 minutes south of Dunee and planted primarily to Dijon clones.
In most vintages there are four Pinot Noirs produced: Willamette Valley, Reserve, Nuthouse and Spirithouse. Nuthouse is a uniquely styled Pinot Noir (nutty if you will) that is intense and bold. It takes its name from the original winery which was housed in a previous hazelnut processing plant. The primary source of the Nuthouse Pinot Noir is the Lonestar Vineyard. Spirithouse is a more subtle and silky style. The name comes from the fact that the current tasting room is housed in the former Dundee City Hall which is said to be inhabited by the ghost of a troubled women (the full story is available on the website). A tasting room is located in Dundee, OR at 691 Hwy 99 W. The wines are sold on the website and through numerous retail channels. Soles is a champion of screwcaps (the sparkling wines are still closed with cork). 503-538-8520
Articles About Argyle
Reviewed Wines
2006 Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 3,156 cases, $25, screw
cap. Double-macerated on the skins - once before fermentation cold and then again after fermentation
to extract flavor and produce a silky texture. On the label: “To open: Hold cap, then twist bottle.”
·
Light in color. Tutti-fruiti aromas of red cherry and strawberry and a hint of tropical fruits. Soft in texture,
light in weight, featuring simple red fruits. A quaffer that is not meant for contemplation.
Reviewed January 30, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Argyle Spirithouse Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Argyle Winery Spirithouse Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Argyle Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2004 Argyle Nuthouse Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2004 Argyle Spirithouse Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
1999 Argyle Knudsen Vineyards Brut Willamette Valley Sparkling Wine
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
1997 Argyle Extended Tirage Willamette Valley Sparkling Wine
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2006 Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 3,156 cases, $25, screw cap. Double-macerated on the skins - once before fermentation cold and then again after fermentation to extract flavor and produce a silky texture. On the label: “To open: Hold cap, then twist bottle.” · Light in color. Tutti-fruiti aromas of red cherry and strawberry and a hint of tropical fruits. Soft in texture, light in weight, featuring simple red fruits. A quaffer that is not meant for contemplation. Reviewed January 30, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Argyle Spirithouse Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Argyle Winery Spirithouse Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Argyle Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2004 Argyle Nuthouse Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2004 Argyle Spirithouse Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
1999 Argyle Knudsen Vineyards Brut Willamette Valley Sparkling Wine
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
1997 Argyle Extended Tirage Willamette Valley Sparkling Wine
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
TRAVEL ALONG THE PINOT TRAIL | PINOT FESTIVALS | PODCASTS AND VIDEO | TESTIMONIALS | GRAPE RADIO | LINKS
SUBSCRIBE TO PINOTFILE | © 2003-2008 William Gaffney MD | Contact the Prince: Prince@PrinceOfPinot.com