Vinopolis Newsletter 12-4-24 PM

 
 

 

 

“When we met over 19 years ago, we agreed on a fundamental idea: we wanted to build a life together that felt like an adventure.” –Renee Saint-Amour and husband Grant Coulter, co-owners of Hundred Suns.
 
Renee Saint-Amour and Grant Coulter had talent to burn. After the two young professionals were bit by the wine bug and relocated from California to Oregon to begin their Oenological journey. First Grant cut his teeth working as a wine maker for Beaux Freres, one of the Willamette’s top wineries, while Renee worked full-time as a high school teacher. Finally in 2015 they made an all-or-nothing moonshot purchase, acquiring a property in the Willamette Valley that would quickly become their vineyard and winery: Hundred Suns. Their dedication goes beyond passion. From winemaking, to label design, website building, and even wax dipping individual bottles by hand, every aspect of this process has their fingerprints on it.
 
In this short time, they have built a loyal following among serious wine drinkers, collected high scores from some of the industry’s top critics, and built one of the most eye-catching brands in the Valley. Lovers of Oregon wines, and Beaux Freres in particular, should stock up now on Hundred Suns wines before they become hard to find.
 
Winery Note “This is our 7th rendition from this historic vineyard planted in a secluded valley of the Tualatin Hills AVA. A cold and wet spring started the season and slowed maturity. Summer warmed up, and the growing season finished with a glorious fall allowing for extended hang time in the vineyard.
Hundred Suns ‘Bednarik Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $59 special, 24 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “Always made from the last fruit picked by the estate, the jeweled red colored 2022 Pinot Noir Bednarik Vineyard is lifted with a beautiful floral and expressive perfume with a Burgundian aesthetic. Its notes of wildflowers, raspberries, crushed stones, and pretty orange peel are followed by a medium-bodied, linear red with ultra-fine, polished tannins, and a delicate, nuanced note of sanguine iron earth on the palate that is well-woven into the fabric. It is going to flesh out with time, but this is just a gorgeous wine already.”
 
Winery Note “The Carson Phillips Vineyard is planted in the north western part of the Dundee Hills.  It’s a southeast exposure but is blocked a little to the east so somewhat cooler.  Classic Jory soils and planted in 2000 so it’s got some years on it.   Deep red fruits, raspberries and strawberries.  Very delicious.”
Hundred Suns ‘Carson Phillips Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $59 special, 24 bottles available
Jeremy Young-International Wine Report 97 Points “With a glimmering ruby-blue core with a light pink rim, the tantalizing 2022 Carson Phillips Vineyard Pinot Noir from Hundred Suns rested in French oak barrels for 11 months. Broad and expansive across the palate, it boasts notes of Bing cherries, crushed ripe red raspberries, white tea, freshly cut roses, and subtle spice notes of grated cardamon pods. I kept coming back to this wine over the course of an hour, and it kept getting better and better with time. Tannins are a bit grippy but with a few years of bottle age, it’s going to be perfect. A small production of 154 cases was crafted. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.”
 
Winery Notes “This tasty elixir was grown in the high hills of the Chehalem Mountain.  Rocky basalt soils helped keep the acid intact while these grapes hung out until September 23rd.”
Hundred Suns ‘Tualatin Estate’ Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2023 750ml $33 special, 24 bottles available
Patrick Comiskey-The New Wine Review “From a high-elevation site in the Chehalem Mountains, made with 100 percent cluster inclusion and carbonic maceration, finished in amphora and neutral barrels. It’s reserved at first, then earthy and limned with cinnamon spice. It’s fine boned and light on its feet, with a sneaky acidity on the back end.”
 
The Old Eight Cut refers to a diamond cut dating back to the 1400s using simple tools and few cuts to enhance the natural brilliance of the stone without disguising its true nature.–Winemaker note
Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, USA 2023 750ml $31.90 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Notes “This 2023 bottling is comprised of three dry-farmed vineyards planted in volcanic soils and hand-harvested on Sept. 9th, 10th & 17th. The clusters were gently pressed and the juice sent tank to begin their wild yeast fermentation. Once initiated, the wines were moved to French and Austrian oak to finish primary and malolactic fermentation. Bottled without filtration after 11 months.”

Fun fact: Hundred Suns was named for the number of days between flowering and harvest, and their Pinots drink like a love letter to the Willamette Valley.
Hundred Suns ‘Le Mani Vineyard’ Syrah, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, USA 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Note “This Syrah hails from the Le Mani vineyard formerly known as River Rock. For those of you who have experienced first-hand the incredible terroir of the The Rocks District of Milton Freewater, you will understand why this wine is so unique.  Deep layers of volcanic cobblestones held together by silt and sand make up this bizarre landscape.  Warm days among the sun baked rocks imbue our Syrah with earthy minerality and layers of dark cherry, espresso bean, and black licorice. In a nod to the old world we fermented 100% whole bunch with minimal crushing and manipulation. The dark elixir spends 20 months in a combination of oak cask and terracotta amphora before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.”

 

As the third-generation in his family to make wine, Jim Maresh knows a thing or two about crafting Grand Cru-level Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. From the Arterberry Maresh’s prized position in the Dundee Hills, he releases what critics praise as “are some of the most impressive wines I’ve tried anywhere—not just in the US”, per Erin Brooks of the Wine Advocate.

 HOT DEAL  Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2023 750ml $29 special, 36+ bottles available
Not reviewed yet, 2022 reviews provided for reference
Clive Pursehouse-Decanter 96 points “Pommard, Wadenswil (50%) and a bit of Dijon, the youngest vines on the Maresh estate, are from 1997, as well as plantings from 1991, 83, and 70, all of it own-rooted. Earth and rose petals announce gorgeous aromatics. Winemaker Jim Maresh destems 100%. It sees 18-24 months in barrel. At $33.50, this may be the best deal in American wine. Earthen aromatics, pine bough, and blood orange spritz. The palate is fresh with blue and red bramble fruits, spicy clove and savoury herbaceousness.”
 
…Re-Arriving from Arterberry Maresh:
 
Arterberry Maresh Rose of Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2023 750ml $14 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Note “About half Pinot and half Chardonnay picked early for Rose. Fermented bone dry and aged in 100% stainless steel. Made to drink cold in the sun.”
 
Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $64.50 special, 36 bottles available
Clive Pursehouse-Decanter 97 Points “The Maresh is a combination of 1970 and 1974 planted vines. Mouthfuls of complexity and elegance. High-toned red fruits and forest-driven umami character, pine bough, blood orange and spice. Long hang times for 2022, the low alcohol is evocative of Old World Pinot Noir. There is a darkness and complexity of the wine, with an intensity of flavour, only 5% new oak, 20 months in barrel. Spiced cinnamon, fresh red strawberries, savoury clove and smoked sea salt, bring an intensity, and a crushed stone minerality finishes this beautiful wine. Silken elegance and intensity combine in a gorgeous wine.”
 
Arterberry Maresh Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2021 750ml $64.50 special, 36+ bottles available
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97+ Points “Out of curiosity, winemaker Jim Maresh and I re-tasted the 2019 Pinot Noir Weber Vineyard to compare to the recently bottled 2021s. (Weber Vineyard was previously owned by Jim’s grandfather and part of the Maresh Vineyard.) It’s beginning to curl inward, taking plenty of time to blossom from touches of iodine and flint to wild blackberries, tea leaves, lavender, salted licorice and candied orange peel. The medium-bodied palate is powerful and refreshing, with youthfully latent fruit and a long, spicy finish. Purchasers can look forward to an exciting evolution as this matures over the next 10-15 years.”
 
Arterberry Maresh Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $64.50 special, 38 bottles available
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 Points “The 2022 Pinot Noir Weber Vineyard bursts from the glass without even a swirl, displaying an exuberant bouquet of black cherry sauce, rum cake, autumnal spice and hints of balsam herbs. This is a beast, succulent and fleshy in feel yet elegant to the core, with depths of ripe red berry fruits that drench the palate in primary concentration. Minty herbs mix with steeped plums through the dramatically long finale, leaving a subtle collection of grippy tannins to linger on. There’s so much depth and power under the hood here. Although the 2022 has a more immediate feel, it also has a deep complexity that keeps me coming back.”
 

 
With a viticultural history dating back to the 1870’s, the Rogue Valley is older than the Willamette Valley and severely undervalued. Little by little though, consumers are rediscovering this overlooked region. For fans of Rhône and Rioja varietals, the Rogue Valley is an absolute treasure trove of Syrah, Grenache, and Tempranillo.
 
Full-time physician Dr. Peter Adesman and his wife, Dr. Robin Miller, planted the Peter William estate vineyard in 2013 after decades of work collecting, consuming, and educating on wine. They grow Roussanne, Grenache, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Malbec at the estate and purchase from other Rogue Valley vineyards. The resulting wines are enjoyable and approachable, both in terms of drinkability and cost.
 
Peter William PWV ‘Extravagance’ Reserve Red, Rogue Valley, USA 2018 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Norm Roby Wine Review Online 94 Points “It may be going on elsewhere, but Southern Oregon sure seems to be a hotbed of creative winemaking energy leading to fascinating blends and unusual wines.  One that caught my attention is rarely seen outside of Australia and Spain: a 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Syrah.  The latter was grown in the estate vineyard and the Tempranillo sourced from Coventina Vineyard on the western edge of the Valley.  Aged for 21 months in French oak, the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.  The 2018 growing season was long, and late season warmth yielded wines that are ripe and rich.  This intriguing blend turns out to be delicious red wine with both depth and charm.  It comes across as ripe, plush Syrah built on a Tempranillo framework, meaning it has Syrah’s black fruit and hint of leather and pepper but is held in check with good structure and balance.  Slight oak toast adds to the finish.”
 
Peter William Grenache, Rogue Valley, USA 2020 750ml $26 special, 19 bottles available
Michael Alberty-Wine Enthusiast 90 Points “After 10 months in neutral French oak, this Grenache is eager to make friends. Its dark chocolate and meaty aromas will make you crave pork mole. The flavors are a tangy combination of boysenberry and orange zest, with bits of tobacco and ginger. Boisterous acidity intersects with firm tannins.”
 
Peter William ‘Lot W’ Syrah, Rogue Valley, USA 2018 750ml $19 special, 36+ bottles available
Norm Roby-Wine Review Online 94 Points “This small batch Syrah is made from estate grown grapes which are vinified by winemaker Eric Weisinger, who is the “W” referenced on the label. The end result is a compact, powerful expression of Syrah that may be one of the best values around these days. It is pure, ripe Syrah beginning with its dark color and earthy, leathery, black pepper aromatics. It evolves in the glass and is full of black fruits and spices delivered in a compact, medium full bodied style. It was aged in American oak (30% new) and the light toasty flavor adds a little intrigue to the ripe berry and slightly floral notes in the aftertaste. Although it should be wonderfully complex in 3 to 4 years, it is nevertheless outstanding now.”
 
Peter William ‘Lot W’ Tempranillo, Rogue Valley, USA 2018 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast “A distinctly earthy nose features interesting notes of crushed black-walnut shells, smoked cherries and a touch of mint. The flavors of ripe black cherries, leather and almond extract are encircled by a wall of grippy tannins. Decanting is recommended.”
 
Peter William Malbec, Rogue Valley, USA 750ml $29 special, 18 bottles available
Norm Roby-Wine Review Online 92 Points “Unable to decide which vintage should be released first, the winery decided to offer both its 2018 and 2019 Malbec at the same time and price.  Both are from the same vineyard block made by the same winemaker.  Both were aged 18 months in 30% new oak barrels.  The major difference is the oak; in 2018 it was American, whereas the oak in 2019 is French.  The differences were subtle, but with time in the glass the 2019 displayed more finesse and complexity.  It comes across as a pretty, elegant Malbec with spiced dark plum fruit and baking spice flavors, refined, smooth tannin and light oak.  Overall, the 2019 has more polish and a potential to develop with short term cellaring.”
 
Peter William Daisy Creek Vineyard Viognier, Rogue Valley, USA 2022 750ml $24 special, 17 bottles available
Michael Alberty-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points “The Daisy Creek Viognier is consistently one of the best white wine values in Oregon. This year’s model starts off with pear, butterscotch and talc aromas. Blazing acidity shines through as flavors like grilled pineapple, Thai basil and blood orange sorbet sashay across the palate.”

 
New Arrivals

 

 
Winery Note “Delicacy and Elegance. This cuvée has been elaborated from the four Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger.”
Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Louis Blanc de Blancs Millesime, Champagne, France 2012 750ml $199 special, 12 bottles available
Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Louis Blanc de Blancs 2012 1.5L $449 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 96 Points ” …the 2012 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Louis Salmon evokes aromas of lemon oil, pastry, baked bread, walnuts and chalk. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, it’s vinous, almost creamy, with a layered, delicate structure that leads to a delicately citrusy, long and delicate finish. This Champagne is built to age, thanks to the power of the 2012 vintage and the house’s signature tension. Disgorged in the second quarter of 2023 with 3.9 grams per liter dosage, it was matured 75% in stainless steel and 25% in barrels.”
 
Fun Fact: In order for a grower Champagne to be labelled “Special Club,” it must pass a strict series of blind tastings and receive unanimous approval from everyone already in the Club, an official body known as the “Club de Trésors.” Of the founding 12 member of the Trésors,Gaston Chiquet is one of only 3 that still remains in production today.
Gaston Chiquet Special Club Grand Cru Brut Millesime, Champagne, France 2015 750ml $89 special, 11 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2015 Champagne Special Club Brut is a seductive offering from the Chiquet house. Pouring a silver-straw hue and composed of 68% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Noir, this year’s release is lush and expressive on opening, with a decadent perfume of red apple, sweet brioche, honeyed Meyer lemon, and wet stone. Approachable on the palate, it opens with a rounded and pillowy mousse, a supple texture, and modest acidity, although at this stage, it remains fresh and inviting, with a touch of green almond notes on the finish. Although I don’t see 2015 as the longest-lived of vintages, this wine will have an open drinking window that may prove to surprise me over the coming decade or more. Disgorged January 2015.”
 
RH Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne, France NV 750ml $49 special, 18 bottles available
Beaune Imports-Importer’s Note “This fine Champagne produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay is definitely a rarity as this village is known almost exclusively for its Pinot Noir based wines. The golden color with feint hints of green belie the high-toned nature of this fine wine. The nose shows classic apples and white stone fruit blossoms tinged with citrus. A creamy texture with fresh mineral tones and floral notes round out the racy acidity that follow. Very classy stuff…”
 
A. Margaine ‘Le Brut’ Premier Cru Brut, Champagne, France NV 750ml $54.50 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Spectator “Fresh and floral, with the fine, lacy mousse supporting well-meshed notes of blanched almond and ripe Gala apple and nectarine fruit, plus hints of fleur de sel and oyster shell. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now.”
 

 
California
 
 HOT DEAL  Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, USA 2022 750ml $16 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery Note “We are proud to have produced Dry Chenin Blanc each and every year since our family winery was founded in 1972. Extremely versatile and food friendly, it is the perfect aperitif and one of our most beloved wines. Fermented in 100% stainless steel barrels, this beautiful wine is wonderfully bright and consistent vintage after vintage. At first swirl, aromatics of honeydew, watermelon and pineapple spring forward from the glass with floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle. On the palate, the wine has refreshing flavors of cucumber, lime and nectarine with hints of geranium, sweet basil and ripe orange. The mouthfeel is soft but inviting, with a lively acidity. This classic, Loire Valley-style wine is excellent when paired with fresh oysters, seafood, or just about anything!”
 

Spain

La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Ardanza Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain 2016 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 95 Points “Savory and complex with dried orange peel, cedar and plenty of sweet spices, walnuts, caramel, dried mushrooms and pine needles. Shows maturity here, with a medium body and superb freshness. Incredibly long finish with lots of truffle and walnut. Lasts over a minute. Very complete now, but you can still hold it.”
Tim Atkin 94 Points “Ardanza is a traditional pan-regional Rioja that marries Tempranillo from Cenicero and Rodezno with 20% Garnacha from Tudelilla. Aged in lightly toasted American barrels, it’s sweet, spicy and complex, with leather, wild strawberry and red pepper notes, fine, scented oak and the freshness of the vintage.”

 

 

“It’s been nearly two decades since growers began to dominate the headlines in Champagne. Yet, over that period, surprisingly few growers have managed to separate themselves from the pack—by virtue of their genius or their gift for making Champagne of unique expressiveness. Two that have are the brothers, Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche.” –Rare Wine Company, Importer
 
This very special wine, Bereche’s “Côte” Millesime represents a combination of brothers Raphael & Vincent’s incredibly precise and technical winemaking prowess in service to the best regions in Champagne, like Oger, that they would never have access to in their Estate bottlings. This wine is a phenomenal tightrope act: a Champagne that is both opulent and refreshing. Plush and rounded, with a bolt of acidity ripping right through it.
 
Only 5,300 bottles of this wine were produced and we are selling this super rare bottle at the lowest price in the United States!
 

WAS $135
Raphael et Vincent Bereche ‘Cote’ Oger Grand Cru Millesime Extra-Brut, Champagne, France 2016 750ml NOW $124 special, 12+ bottles available
Not reviewed yet, 2005 review provided for reference.
Gismondi on Wine 94 Points (2005 vintage) ” …This chardonnay is from mid-slope Grand Cru Avize, and the 2005 vintage. It went into bottle in 2006 and remained there until its disgorging in December 2016 (!!), dosed with 4 g/l. Exceptional finesse and complexity, with layers of wet and dry chalk, lemon peel, green apple, fresh filberts, crispy meringue on a finely textured palate. A wave of savoury salts kissed with brown butter rides throughout, providing an alluring interest. There’s a natural restraint, yet palpable intensity in this graceful, characterful wine, one that stood out amongst the rest.”