VOLUME 8, ISSUE 20
August 24, 2010
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
Romancing the Dijon Clones Buena Vista: My House Red and White Lenné Estate: 2008s are Best Ever Domaine Drouhin Oregon: Burgundy’s First Footprint in Oregon Spätburgunder Robert Sinskey Vineyards Raiding the Library of the Pinot Carzina: Lane Tanner Pinot Noir, 1988-2007 LIOCO Winery: A Different Path Sta. Rita Hills: California’s Best AVA for Chardonnay? Sips of Pinot Noir Pinot Briefs Doctoring Wine for Optimum Drinking
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Anne Amie Vineyards
Going back a few years, the wines I had sampled from Anne Amie Vineyards were technically fine, but lacked spirit and sophistication. When I visited Anne Amie Vineyards before the 2009 IPNC, I was happy to find that the current releases show a new vitality and the staff’s esprit d corps is infused into every bottle. Wine is really all about the people, and proprietor Dr. Robert Pamplin, Jr., has gathered an impassioned staff to pursue the goal of producing world-class wines. Winemaker Thomas Houseman, viticulturist Jason Tosch and sales manager Kim McLeod have guided Anne Amie to the top echelon of Oregon wineries while kicking up their heels and thoroughly enjoying themselves along the way. Dr. Pamplin bought the former Chateau Benoit Winery in Carlton in 1999. The name, Anne Amie, is in honor of Dr. Pamplin’s two daughters. The initial winemaker, Scott Huffman, was a holdover from Chateau Benoit. Huffman was succeeded by Thomas Houseman. Houseman’s story would make a good movie. He was an accomplished modern dancer living in New York and traveling the world when he began to assist his company’s lighting director in making beer. Sufficiently intrigued by fermentation and its after products, he left New York and enrolled in the enology and viticulture program at University California Fresno. His love for Pinot Noir led him to winemaking jobs at Husch Vineyards in the Anderson Valley of California and Bleinheim Winery and Bell Hill Winery owned by the Giesen brothers in North Canterbury, New Zealand. Upon returning to the states, he was mentored by Dick and Luisa Ponzi at Ponzi Vineyards in Oregon before becoming Director of Winemaking at Anne Amie. The important role of a viticulturist in the production of Pinot Noir cannot be underestimated. The Director of Viticulture at Anne Amie, Jason Tosch, is an Oregon native who came to Anne Amie from Ponzi Vineyards. He has transformed all the Anne Amie estate vineyards to LIVE (Low Input Viticulture & Enology) and Salmon Safe certification. The estate vineyards are located in the rolling hills of Yamhill-Carlton District and on the steep hillsides of the Chehalem Mountains. The future holds great promise for Anne Amie Vineyards as Houseman will have a widely varied estate vineyard and clonal palate to work with. Anne Amie also sources grapes from several prominent vineyards in the Willamette Valley. The tasting room has a pleasant outdoor patio with views of the surrounding vineyards. The LIVE certified winery is located in Yamhill-Carlton, a few miles from both Lafayette and Carlton, Oregon. Anne Amie Vineyards is located at 6580 NE Mineral Springs Road in Carlton. The beautiful tasting room is open daily. Wines may be ordered from the website. 503-864-2991. The winery produces Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Riesling in addition to Pinot Noir. Articles About Anne Amie VineyardsReviewed Wines2008 Anne Amie Vineyards Winemaker’s Selection Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (barrel sample blend trial) Intense garnet color. Brioche and dark berries on the nose. Lush darker fruits with notable tannins. This will be a crowd pleaser. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
![]() 2008 Anne Amie Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 13.5% alc., December 2010 release, screw cap. Composed of grapes from 11 vineyards. Clones Pommard 4, 114, 115, 667, 777, 828. Aged 10 mos in 26% new, 20% 1-year-old, and 54% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Alluring aromas of crushed berries and dark red cherries with whiffs of Coca-Cola and rosehips. Flavors of black raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and cherry skins flood the mouth with pleasure, caressed by fine grain tannins and framed vividly by bright acidity. I couldn’t stop drinking this one. A terrific Willamette Valley blend that packs in plenty of pleasure. Kudos to winemaker Thomas Houseman who has brought Anne Amie into the upper echelon of Willamette Valley producers. A featured winery at the 2010 International Pinot Noir Celebration. Reviewed August 7, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Cuvée A Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (barrel sample blend trial) Darker in color with more body and richness than the 2007 vintage. Intense dark cherry fruit with soft, restrained tannins. Should eclipse the excellent 2007 version. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
![]() 2008 Cuvée A Midnight Saignée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 13.43% alc., 309 cases, $15, released May 2009. Grapes are de-stemmed, cold soaked for 5 days, with a saignée on the second day to concentrate flavors. The wine is a blend of all Pinot Noir saignée lots representing multiple vineyards and AVAs. Barrel fermented in neutral French oak barrels to dryness, remaining on the lees until blending. · Pretty coral color. Aromas and flavors of fresh summer strawberries, cranberries and cherries with respectable mid-palate richness. Clean, pure and satisfying. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
![]() 2008 Anne Amie Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 13.5% alc., $35, screw cap. Release date is Novermber 2010. Sourced from 10 vineyards including 22% estate fruit. Willakenzie, Laurelwood and Jory soils. Clones Pommard 4, Dijon 114, 115, 667, 777 and 828. Aged 10 months in 26% new, 20% 1 year and 54% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Fresh aromas of dark red berries and a hint of clove. Tasty potpourri of cherries, strawberries and raspberries with a tangy citrus note adding a spring to the pleasing finish. Relatively straightforward but drinks really well. An outstanding Willamette Valley blend. Very good. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
![]() 2007 Anne Amie Vineyards Pinot Blanc 12.5% alc., 550 cases, $25, released March 2009. Whole clusterpressed, cold fermented, aged in 60% new French oak on the lees for 8 months. Sourced from Helmick Hill Vineyard. · Pale yellow color. Pleasant aromas of pears, white peaches, apples and bananas. Charming marriage of pears and citrus fruits, a hint of oak, and zippy mineral-infused acidity on the refreshing finish. A perfect OTC (Other Than Chardonnay) white wine that performs well as an aperitif or with lighter summer fare. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
![]() 2007 Annie Amie Vineyards Cuvée A Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 13.3% alc., 3,200 cases, $25. An eight vineyard blend from estate vineyards and purchased grapes including clones 115, 777, Pommard and Wädenswil. This wine is a selection of forward and charming barrels of Pinot Noir, blended in a style ready to drink upon release. Aged 10 months in 11.5% new French oak, 21.2% 1-year French oak and 67.3% neutral oak. Once bottled, the wine was aged for 8 months before release in February 2009. Palate of soils include Willakenzie, Jory and Laurelwood. Crafted by winemaker Thomas Houseman and winegrower Jason Tosch. This bottling is the winery’s entry-level Pinot Noir. · Light ruby color. Rather intense scents of cherries, herbs and cream soda. A lighter-weighted black cherry-driven wine with a complimentary hint of vanillin and spice that finishes with a touch of grapefruit. A clean and very decent wine for drinking now. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
![]() 2007 Cuvée A Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 13.3% alc., 3,200 cases, $25, released February 2009. The difference between the Cuvée A and Winemaker’s Selection Willamette Valley bottlings is the tasting decision with the Cuvée A featuring more red fruit and softer tannins. Primarily sourced from volcanic (Jory) soils. Grape are cold soaked for 4-7 days followed by extended maceration for 28-40 days. Aged on lees in 11.5% new French oak barrels for 10 months and aged 8 months after bottling before release. · This is the winery’s value play Pinot Noir and fits the bill perfectly. Bright scents of red cherries, strawberries and cream soda. Light and soft in the mouth with a red fruit punch flavored core underlain with spice and citrus notes. A perfect back porch sipper. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
![]() 2007 Anne Amie Vineyards Winemaker’s Selection Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 13.6% alc., 3,500 cases, $35, November 2009 release. An 8-vineyard blend of clones 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, 828, Pommard and Wädenswil grown on all three of the Willamette Valley’s main soils - Willakenzie, Jory and Laurelwood. A true representation of the entire Willamette Valley. · Moderately light garnet color. Elegantly styled with bright acidity. Vivid raspberry flavors with a touch of minerality and forest floor. More austere than the 2006 vintage of this wine but will compliment food nicely. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
![]() 2007 Anne Amie Prismé Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Blanc 14.1% alc., pH 3.43, 390 cases, $45, released November 2009. Pommard clone. · Light apricot color in the glass. Interesting aromatic nuances of papaya, peach, coconut and paraffin. Seductive and understated on the palate with pleasing flavors of white peaches, honey, cookie dough, almonds and lychee. Very creamy with bright acidity and polished tannins. An unusual and captivating wine that is full of unexpected charm. Dreamy with shellfish. Very good (+). Reviewed April 9, 2010 ARTICLE »
![]() 2007 Prismé Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Blanc 14.1% alc., 390 cases, $45, November 2009 release. Named after the word prism which is splitting of white light into its corresponding colors. With this wine the reverse is being done, that is, making a white wine from Pinot Noir. Grapes are gently pressed, liberating free run juice but no inclusion of the color or tannins from the skin. 100% Pinot Noir, Pommard clone, barrel fermented in French oak puncheons (25% new), lees stirred, full MLF, and aged on its lees for 18 months before bottling. · Aromas of pear, lemon, smoke and wax. Flavors of yellow raspberries, green apples, brioche, and slightly toasted oak. Very smooth and creamy on the palate ending with a lengthy impression. Big in stature like a fullblown Chardonnay. A unique wine that forces you to abandon your ideas of traditional Pinot Noir and look for new expressions of the grape. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 Anne Amie Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 13.5% alc., 150 cases, $50, November 2009 release. A 9-vineyard blend of clones Pommard 4, Wädenswil, 115 and 667. Grapes are de-stemmed into 2-ton open-top stainless steel fermenters, followed by a 5-day cold soak, inoculated with yeast, racked into 27% new French oak barrels and aged for 11 months. Blended and bottled unfiltered and unfined and bottle aged for 18 months before release. · Admirable that the producers chose to release this wine only after adequate integration of its components. A huge nose of summer stone fruits that really grabs your attention. Luscious cherry and berry core with a compliment of earth and briar flavors. Deft use of oak and supple tannins that caress the fruit nicely. A wine of glass-filling presence. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Anne Amie Vineyards Winemaker’s Selection Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 14.4% alc., 3,400 cases, $35, available. · Very aromatic with scents of raspberries, cherries and herbs. The flavors echo the aromas with an added underpinning of earthiness. Smoothly textured with fine-grain tannins. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
![]() 2006 L’iris Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 14.3% alc., 1,200 cases, $75, Released May 2009. A blend of Anne Amie Estate (33%), Boisseau, Louise, Hawk’s View, and Deux Vert vineyards (Yamhill- Carlton and Chehalem Mountain AVAs). Clones 115, 777 and Wädenswil. 5-day cold soak, 10 day fermentation. Free-run juice aged in 62% new French oak for 18 months, bottled unfined and unfiltered, and aged an additional 18 months in bottle. · This is essentially a reserve wine but is not turned up in amplitude. Marvelous aromas of crushed berries, bramble and roasted nuts. A wine of mouth filling richness that coats every nook and cranny, yet is light on its feet. Beguiling flavors of cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruits with hints of vanillin and mocha. The tannins are so fine as to be imperceptible and the texture is Elvis on velvet soft. The powerfully aromatic finish is stunning. Reviewed August 17, 2009 ARTICLE »
2005 Anne Amie Vineyards Cuvée A Pinot Noir 13.5% alc., $20, screw cap. The more fruit-forward barrels of wine are selected to make a reasonably priced wine for everyday drinking. · A very light wine with subtle oak and fruit highlights, especially raspberry. A good summer quaffer served cold. Add pomegranate juice and berries for a cool wine slushy. Reviewed August 13, 2007 ARTICLE »
2004 Anne Amie Willamette Valley Winemaker’s Selection Pinot Noir 14.4% alc., $35. This is a blend of the finest barrels from the complete range of Willamette Valley vineyards. · A subdued nose of red fruits, tea and oak leads to simple and pleasant red fruit flavors. An appealing softness on the palate supplies elegance. Reviewed August 13, 2007 ARTICLE »
2004 Anne Amie La Colina Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 14.5% alc., $50. a “Cru” selection that reflects a particular terroir. Less than 200 cases. Proprietors Dee and George Hillberry farm the La Colina Vineyard located due east of the winery. This is always the richest and most velvety Pinot Noir in the Anne Amie portfolio. · More plush stuffing here. Deep aromas of black cherries and blackberries carry over in the flavors to follow. Very soft and silky in texture. The wine picks up a little oomph with air time and still tasted quite good the next day from the previously opened bottle. Reviewed August 13, 2007 ARTICLE »
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