January 25, 2012
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Tyee Wine Cellars
| Owner(s) | Buchanan Family |
| Web site | www.tyeewine.com |
| Link to this site |
Tyee Wine Cellars is located near Corvallis on the Buchanan Family Century Farm. The 450 acres have been owned by owner Dave Buchanan's family since 1885. Vinifera grapes were first planted in 1974, making the Buchanans one of the unheralded first wave of Pinot pioneers in Oregon. In 1985, the Buchanans partnered with Oregon State University enologist Barney Watson and his wife, Nola Mosier, to start the Tyee Winery. In 2005, the Buchanans became sole owners of Tyee.
The name, Tyee, is in honor of the Kalapooian Indians who encamped on the Corvallis property. Tyee means "chief" or "best" in Northwest Indian dialect.
In 2006, the Buchanan's daughter, Merilee Buchanan Benson, became head winemaker, and the same year Tyee's wines became all estate wines. Production is about 1,500 cases annually.
Most of the wine is sold through long-term accounts in Oregon with some sold out of state. The wines are also available from the online store. Each of the labels features an animal depicted in Northwest tribal art.
Articles About Tyee Wine Cellars
Reviewed Wines
2008 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 500 cases, $24. Produced from vines ranging in age from
34 years to 8 years. Pommard, 777 and 115 clones.
·
Moderate
reddish-purple color in the glass. A charming wine in every way.
Enticing aromas redolent of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries
with a hint of vanilla cone. Lovely array of crisply flavored red and
blue fruits with a hint of herbs. Nicely structured with ripe, firm
tannins and bright acidity finishing dry and satisfying. Amazing value.
Very Good.
Reviewed August 13, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Barrel Select Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 100 cases, $35. Produced from
own-rooted old vines ranging from 20 to 34 years old (oldest
plantings in the estate vineyard). Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Reserved
but pleasing scent of fresh cherries and raspberries with a hint
of spice and rose petal. Similar flavor profile to the Estate
bottling but with more intensity, more persistence, and more sophistication. The
perfectly ripened fruit has a dark red profile, the dry tannins and crisp acidity
frame the fruit beautifully, and the silky finish makes an lasting impression. A
perfect argument for the superiority of old vine Pinot Noir. The wine was still great
the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, but I couldn’t report beyond this as I eagerly
finished the bottle. An exceptional wine that is much more approachable than many reserve Pinot Noirs from Oregon's 2008 vintage. A vin de garde for Oregon in 2008.
Reviewed August 13, 2011
ARTICLE »
2007 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $19.99.
·
Moderate reddish-purple
hue in the glass. Initial bright aromas of cherries, red berries and soy sauce fading some in the glass with a
minty, green note emerging. Lighter-weighted red and black fruits with a hint of oak and a subtle lift of citrus
peel on the finish. Soft in the mouth with reigned-in tannins. Decent.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Barrel Select Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $29.99.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy, but
appealing scents of cherry and berry jam with hints of oak and spice. Decent
red berry core with moderate ripe tannins and some persistence on the elegant
finish. A solid wine. Good.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Barrel Select Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $29.99.
·
Moderately light in color in the glass.
Aromas of ripe dark fruits, oak toast and leather. Juicy red cherry and
berry fruits which are vivid and focused wrapped in moderately firm
tannins. Nicely crafted with a silky mouth feel and admirable
persistence on the back end. Very good.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 500 cases, $24. Produced from vines ranging in age from 34 years to 8 years. Pommard, 777 and 115 clones. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. A charming wine in every way. Enticing aromas redolent of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries with a hint of vanilla cone. Lovely array of crisply flavored red and blue fruits with a hint of herbs. Nicely structured with ripe, firm tannins and bright acidity finishing dry and satisfying. Amazing value. Very Good. Reviewed August 13, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Barrel Select Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 100 cases, $35. Produced from own-rooted old vines ranging from 20 to 34 years old (oldest plantings in the estate vineyard). Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Reserved but pleasing scent of fresh cherries and raspberries with a hint of spice and rose petal. Similar flavor profile to the Estate bottling but with more intensity, more persistence, and more sophistication. The perfectly ripened fruit has a dark red profile, the dry tannins and crisp acidity frame the fruit beautifully, and the silky finish makes an lasting impression. A perfect argument for the superiority of old vine Pinot Noir. The wine was still great the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, but I couldn’t report beyond this as I eagerly finished the bottle. An exceptional wine that is much more approachable than many reserve Pinot Noirs from Oregon's 2008 vintage. A vin de garde for Oregon in 2008. Reviewed August 13, 2011 ARTICLE »
2007 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $19.99. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Initial bright aromas of cherries, red berries and soy sauce fading some in the glass with a minty, green note emerging. Lighter-weighted red and black fruits with a hint of oak and a subtle lift of citrus peel on the finish. Soft in the mouth with reigned-in tannins. Decent. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Barrel Select Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $29.99. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy, but appealing scents of cherry and berry jam with hints of oak and spice. Decent red berry core with moderate ripe tannins and some persistence on the elegant finish. A solid wine. Good. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Tyee Wine Cellars Estate Barrel Select Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $29.99. · Moderately light in color in the glass. Aromas of ripe dark fruits, oak toast and leather. Juicy red cherry and berry fruits which are vivid and focused wrapped in moderately firm tannins. Nicely crafted with a silky mouth feel and admirable persistence on the back end. Very good. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
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