January 25, 2012
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Antica Terra
| Owner(s) | Scott Adelson, Michael Kramer, John Mavredakis |
| Web site | www.anticaterra.com |
| Link to this site |
Antica Terra ("old earth" in Latin) was started by a pair of New Yorkers in 1989 who made small amounts of highly-lauded Pinot Noir for several years. The vineyard and label was purchased in June of 2005 by three friends and partners along with talented winemaker Maggie Harrison, a long-time former assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non in Ventura, CA. The 26-acre estate vineyard is in the Eola-Amity Hills appellation. Annual case production is less than 1,500 cases but as young vines come into production this will increase. The inaugural release vinified by Maggie Harrison was the 2006 vintage.
The Willamette Valley bottling is a blend of grapes from the Eola-Amity hills property (52%) as well as Amity Hills Vineyard, Shea Vineyard, and Croft Vineyard. A second, more limited, release called Botanica, is only made in superior vintages. The 2006 version is only 173 cases and composed of primarily Shea Vineyard fruit. An Antica Terra Estate Pinot Noir was added in 2009. The lineup for the 2009 vintage also includes a Chardonnay and an outstanding Rosé. A new winery in Dundee was completed in time for the 2009 harvest.
The wine is sold through a mailing list and distributed through retail channels (the most desirable bottlings are sold out through the mailing list. Visits to the vineyard and tasting are available by appointment: 503-244-1748.
Articles About Antica Terra
2011 Oregon Pinot Noir All-Americans First Team (8.47 12/20/2011)
A Taste of Noiregon, Vintages 2005 & 2006 (7.2 9/15/2008)
Antica Terra (8.17 6/21/2010)
Antica Terra Estate: A Place for Dreamers (8.46 11/29/2011)
Antica Terra Speaks of Terroir (7.22 8/5/2009)
Oregon '09: Precocious and Seductive (8.42 8/11/2011)
Oregon Pinot Noir 2004 (6.15 2/12/2007)
Pinot Briefs (8.46 11/29/2011)
Pinot Briefs (8.44 10/4/2011)
Rosés of Pinot Noir Enliven Summer (7.21 7/9/2009)
Reviewed Wines
2009 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $50. A blend of
estate fruit with grapes from Shea, Old School, Cherry Grove, Johan and Bliss
vineyards. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color
in the glass. Black cherry based aromas and flavors lashed with a noticeable
oak presence of char, tobacco and coffee, but offering nuances of earth and
grilled mushrooms. Creamy and silky, with firm but supple tannins, and a
pleasing aromatic finish. Better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle. Will benefit from time in the cellar. Good (+).
Reviewed August 13, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $50. Released
April 2011.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Black cherry and black
raspberry is at the heart of this wine which displays prominent oak-driven
aromas and flavors of roasted coffee beans and mocha java. Moderately rich
with supple tannins, the wine can be enjoyed now, but will benefit from more
time in bottle to allow the oak to further integrate. Good (+).
Reviewed November 29, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Antica Terra Botanica Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., $75,
wax closure. Released April 2011. Unusual ripeness for Willamette Valley fruit
reminiscent of the 2006 vintage in Oregon. A blend of fruit from Antica Terra
Estate, Shea Vineyard and Stephen Hagen’s vineyard near Junction City.
·
Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Demure aromas of very ripe
strawberries and berry triffle. Medium-weighted flavors of ripe, sweet, dark red
fruits wrapped in soft fine-grain tannins, leaving a lingering impression of lush
fruit on the finish. Seamless, with a very sensual mouth feel, displaying well-integrated
oak. A black tie, fruit-driven wine that is California in spirit. One would
never guess this wine had 15% alcohol because it has the necessary fruit, acid
and tannin to keep the wine in balance with the alcohol. It is not my favorite style
of wine, but I have to admit finding it enjoyable. Very good.
Reviewed November 29, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Antica Terra Estate Grown Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.6%
alc., $100, wax closure. Released November 2011.
·
Moderately dark
reddish-purple color in the glass. An engaging Pinot Noir with gorgeous
perfume of wild berries, Christmas spices, mesquite, underbrush and
coffee. The allure carries through on the palate with layers of flavorful
dark berries, savory additions of leaf and spice, an exotic note of musk,
and a complimentary underpinning of smoky oak. Impeccably balanced and
very sensual in the mouth. A beautiful food wine. Even better the next day from
a previously opened and re-corked bottle. If this Pinot were a lover instead of a
wine, it’s one that would make you abandon your family, leave your job, and
forfeit your hard-won position in the community for just one more fling.
Reviewed November 29, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Antica Terra Rosé Willamette Valley
14.2% alc., 88 cases, $35. 66%
Pommard, 33% Dijon 115. 33% whole cluster. Full natural MLF with 6 months
aging in 3rd-fill French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately deep
reddish-orange color. Lovely aromas of fresh strawberries, blood oranges and
a touch of white peach and herbs. A substantial rosé that is mouth filling on
the attack strutting flavors of fresh berries, orange peel and savory herbs with
some persistence on the bright finish. This is a stunning wine that even a
Pinot Noir purist like myself would be proud to take to any classy restaurant.
This wine should put to rest any stigma that has been attached to rosé.
Reviewed July 9, 2009
ARTICLE »
2008 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 1,111 cases, $46.
Released April 1, 2010. 52% Antica Terra, 27% Shea and 21% Cherry Grove
vineyards. 90% de-stemmed without crushing (10% whole cluster). Aged in
31% new and 69% 1 to 3-year-old French oak barrels. Never racked until sent
into tank for bottling. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in
the glass. Well-perfumed with aromas of spiced berries, savory herbs, lavender
and cut flowers. Classy juice that is both bright and lithe with flavors of dark
berries, cherries, mocha and savory herbs. Drinkable now, but will be much
better in another 6 to 12 months. Very good.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Antica Terra Botanica Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 185
cases, 120 magnums, $75. Released April 1, 2010. 50% Antica Terra,
38% Shea and 12% Cherry Grove vineyards. De-stemmed 89%
without crushing. 11% whole cluster. Aged in 63% new and 37%
seasoned French oak barrels.
·
The nose is reticent initially, becoming
more charming with time in the glass showing a melange of berry fruits,
Herbs de Provence and a hint of oak. Lovely depth and richness of
flavor featuring the entire array of berries including boysenberry, blackberry and
strawberry with an underpinning of savory herbs. A charming wine with supple
tannins, bright acidity and fruit in perfect harmony. Needs plenty of foreplay
(translate: decanting) to drink now. A magnificent effort that will reward long term
cellaring.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 1,270
cases, $46. Released April 1 2009.Packaged in a distinctive tall-necked
bottle. 53% Antica Terra Vineyard, 28% Shea Vineyard, 9% Cherry Grove
Vineyard, 9% Croft Vineyard. 91% de-stemmed without crushing.
Fermented in small, open-top fermenters with manual punch downs. Into
barrel using gravity flow with 27% press. Aged in 53% new French oak.
Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Teasing aromas of berry tart and spiced raspberries with
a hint of pine tree. Tasty dark berry, black cherry and plum with nuances of
minerality, earthiness, seasoned oak, spice and musk, which come and go in the
glass. There might be some pheromones in there as well as I could not turn
away from the glass. This wine has plenty of richness to satisfy, but not in the über-rich mold of SQN. It is very
clean and silky with imperceptible tannins and impeccable balance. This beauty will hold your interest and is a
truly unique artisan Pinot Noir.
Reviewed August 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., $46.
Bottled in a tall Riesling-type bottle.
·
Deep reddish-purple color.
Alluring aromas of black cherry, fresh berries and toasty oak
leading to a full-on delicious black cherry and ripe plum attack. A
touch of earth, spice and anise adds interest. Rich, velvety and full
with bracing acidity on the finish.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2004 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $38.50. This wine comes from a small
Gaston, Oregon producer. This was the last vintage for co-founder and former winemaker Marty
Weber. Maggie Harrison, who spent the last eight years as an assistant winemaker at Sine Qua Non,
took over in 2005.
·
Light in color, the attractive aromatics displayed cherry, pepper, a hint of spearmint,
and a touch of barnyard. Decent peppery fruit led to a slightly astringent finish.
Reviewed February 12, 2007
ARTICLE »
2009 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $50. A blend of estate fruit with grapes from Shea, Old School, Cherry Grove, Johan and Bliss vineyards. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Black cherry based aromas and flavors lashed with a noticeable oak presence of char, tobacco and coffee, but offering nuances of earth and grilled mushrooms. Creamy and silky, with firm but supple tannins, and a pleasing aromatic finish. Better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Will benefit from time in the cellar. Good (+). Reviewed August 13, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $50. Released April 2011. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Black cherry and black raspberry is at the heart of this wine which displays prominent oak-driven aromas and flavors of roasted coffee beans and mocha java. Moderately rich with supple tannins, the wine can be enjoyed now, but will benefit from more time in bottle to allow the oak to further integrate. Good (+). Reviewed November 29, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Antica Terra Botanica Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., $75, wax closure. Released April 2011. Unusual ripeness for Willamette Valley fruit reminiscent of the 2006 vintage in Oregon. A blend of fruit from Antica Terra Estate, Shea Vineyard and Stephen Hagen’s vineyard near Junction City. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Demure aromas of very ripe strawberries and berry triffle. Medium-weighted flavors of ripe, sweet, dark red fruits wrapped in soft fine-grain tannins, leaving a lingering impression of lush fruit on the finish. Seamless, with a very sensual mouth feel, displaying well-integrated oak. A black tie, fruit-driven wine that is California in spirit. One would never guess this wine had 15% alcohol because it has the necessary fruit, acid and tannin to keep the wine in balance with the alcohol. It is not my favorite style of wine, but I have to admit finding it enjoyable. Very good. Reviewed November 29, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Antica Terra Estate Grown Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., $100, wax closure. Released November 2011. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. An engaging Pinot Noir with gorgeous perfume of wild berries, Christmas spices, mesquite, underbrush and coffee. The allure carries through on the palate with layers of flavorful dark berries, savory additions of leaf and spice, an exotic note of musk, and a complimentary underpinning of smoky oak. Impeccably balanced and very sensual in the mouth. A beautiful food wine. Even better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. If this Pinot were a lover instead of a wine, it’s one that would make you abandon your family, leave your job, and forfeit your hard-won position in the community for just one more fling. Reviewed November 29, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Antica Terra Rosé Willamette Valley
14.2% alc., 88 cases, $35. 66% Pommard, 33% Dijon 115. 33% whole cluster. Full natural MLF with 6 months aging in 3rd-fill French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately deep reddish-orange color. Lovely aromas of fresh strawberries, blood oranges and a touch of white peach and herbs. A substantial rosé that is mouth filling on the attack strutting flavors of fresh berries, orange peel and savory herbs with some persistence on the bright finish. This is a stunning wine that even a Pinot Noir purist like myself would be proud to take to any classy restaurant. This wine should put to rest any stigma that has been attached to rosé. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »
2008 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 1,111 cases, $46. Released April 1, 2010. 52% Antica Terra, 27% Shea and 21% Cherry Grove vineyards. 90% de-stemmed without crushing (10% whole cluster). Aged in 31% new and 69% 1 to 3-year-old French oak barrels. Never racked until sent into tank for bottling. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Well-perfumed with aromas of spiced berries, savory herbs, lavender and cut flowers. Classy juice that is both bright and lithe with flavors of dark berries, cherries, mocha and savory herbs. Drinkable now, but will be much better in another 6 to 12 months. Very good. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Antica Terra Botanica Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 185 cases, 120 magnums, $75. Released April 1, 2010. 50% Antica Terra, 38% Shea and 12% Cherry Grove vineyards. De-stemmed 89% without crushing. 11% whole cluster. Aged in 63% new and 37% seasoned French oak barrels. · The nose is reticent initially, becoming more charming with time in the glass showing a melange of berry fruits, Herbs de Provence and a hint of oak. Lovely depth and richness of flavor featuring the entire array of berries including boysenberry, blackberry and strawberry with an underpinning of savory herbs. A charming wine with supple tannins, bright acidity and fruit in perfect harmony. Needs plenty of foreplay (translate: decanting) to drink now. A magnificent effort that will reward long term cellaring. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 1,270 cases, $46. Released April 1 2009.Packaged in a distinctive tall-necked bottle. 53% Antica Terra Vineyard, 28% Shea Vineyard, 9% Cherry Grove Vineyard, 9% Croft Vineyard. 91% de-stemmed without crushing. Fermented in small, open-top fermenters with manual punch downs. Into barrel using gravity flow with 27% press. Aged in 53% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · Teasing aromas of berry tart and spiced raspberries with a hint of pine tree. Tasty dark berry, black cherry and plum with nuances of minerality, earthiness, seasoned oak, spice and musk, which come and go in the glass. There might be some pheromones in there as well as I could not turn away from the glass. This wine has plenty of richness to satisfy, but not in the über-rich mold of SQN. It is very clean and silky with imperceptible tannins and impeccable balance. This beauty will hold your interest and is a truly unique artisan Pinot Noir. Reviewed August 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., $46. Bottled in a tall Riesling-type bottle. · Deep reddish-purple color. Alluring aromas of black cherry, fresh berries and toasty oak leading to a full-on delicious black cherry and ripe plum attack. A touch of earth, spice and anise adds interest. Rich, velvety and full with bracing acidity on the finish. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
2004 Antica Terra Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $38.50. This wine comes from a small Gaston, Oregon producer. This was the last vintage for co-founder and former winemaker Marty Weber. Maggie Harrison, who spent the last eight years as an assistant winemaker at Sine Qua Non, took over in 2005. · Light in color, the attractive aromatics displayed cherry, pepper, a hint of spearmint, and a touch of barnyard. Decent peppery fruit led to a slightly astringent finish. Reviewed February 12, 2007 ARTICLE »
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