Vinopolpick Thursday Newsletter 1-06-22

 

Cameron is synonymous with the Willamette Valley and her wines, producing some of the best iterations of the Dundee Hills and Ribbon Ridge AVA’s. Transcending varietal, price point and vintage there is something to be enamored by in every bottling in how they express terroir and John Paul’s winemaking mastery.

His winemaking magic isn’t constrained to just Chardonnay and Pinot Noir either, with Cameron winery being one of the few producers in Oregon working with Friulano. Similar in flavor to Sauvignon Blanc, the grape is native to Northeastern Italy and is famous for the diversity of expressions it takes not unlike Chardonnay. If that wasn’t enough he also works with a single block of cider at White Oak Vineyard in Ribbon Ridge. As with everything that Cameron makes, quantities are limited!       

Cameron Wines in stock now: 

Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 14 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge sits high atop the Dundee Hills; a collection of vines planted on their own roots in the mid-70’s. It’s unquestionably one of the most special sites in the Willamette Valley and though it’s better known for Pinot Noir, the Abbey Chard is fantastic.  This is the most limited of the Chardonnay bottlings from Cameron and isn’t produced every year (there was no 2014 version).

Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge sits high atop the Dundee Hills; a collection of vines planted on their own roots in the mid-70’s. It’s unquestionably one of the most special sites in the Willamette Valley and though it’s better known for Pinot Noir, the Abbey Chard is fantastic.  This is the most limited of the Chardonnay bottlings from Cameron and isn’t produced every year.

Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The 2017 Abbey Ridge Pinot noir has aromas of cherry, pomegranate, cranberry and spiced oranges mingling with straw, ginger and as always rose petals.  A higher percentage of Pommard in this year’s blend introduces flavors of cracked pepper, black olive and salumi.  The front to back of the palate is seamless, with soft tannins, bright lively acidity, a long lingering finish and perfect moderate alcohol of 12.8%.  At over 40 years of age, Abbey Ridge is one of the oldest and best vineyards in the state of Oregon.”
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge is one of the most hallowed sites in the Willamette Valley.  Planted in 1975, the Pinot Noir here is own rooted and at one of the highest elevations in the Dundee Hills.  The elevation and classic Jory soils give the wine an intense personality—high toned, elegant and tensile, with good power and a strong voice.  This bottling has been one of the defining Oregon Pinots since John Paul started making it.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Cameron Friulano Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($49.95) $35.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Winery note “An ode to wines of Vodopivec, our Clos Electrique Friulano was fermented on its skins for 60 days in a clay amphora, then transferred to a neutral barrel for 14 months. Red grapefruit rind, melon and a slight dustiness in the nose. The mouth has a chalky mid palate from the amphora, moderate to high acidity and flavors of persimmons and almonds (but not from cyanide!).”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Cameron Winery Giuliano White Oregon 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “The light and crisp Giuliano, an Italian inspired white blend, is from Cameron’s Dundee Hills estate vineyards, Clos Electrique and White Oak. It is a delicious wine, one that has become one of my favorites, when I can get it of course. All of these Cameroni (the Italian style wines) are highly sought after by fans of the legendary John Paul, famous for his Pinots, but who is an Italian wine fanatic himself, so they sell out fast, especially this one. Highly refreshing, slightly effervescent from the capture of CO2 during tank fermentation and with a lovely white flowers bouquet the latest Giuliano delivers a zingy palate of racy citrus, green apple, bosc pear and tart quince fruits, saline infused wet rock, sweet and sour herbs, spearmint and lingering mineral tones. This is a wine to enjoy with oysters, sushi and or linguine pasta with Manila claims. It is jazzy stuff that gets more interesting with food and is rather more than the sum of its parts. The nose, the fruit and tanginess mixed with the stony dimension and orange blossoms add up to a very compelling white wine that gains texture and spice with air highlighting the volcanic Jory soils. Those that like the whites and or field blends of Northeastern Italy will find this wine faithful if not a riveting new world example, full of personality with no pretense and with a raw transparency that is wonderfully addictive…”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Mike Etzel, the founder and winemaker of Sequitur, is a living legend in the Willamette Valley. He co-founded Beaux Frères in the late 1980s and was the winemaker there until recently passing the duties to his son. Never one to rest on his laurels or stay still, though, he began planting a vineyard adjacent to Beaux Frères in 2010—a project that became what we know as Sequitur.

It’s helpful to think of Sequitur as a distillation of everything Mike Etzel learned while starting and producing Beaux Frères over the decades. The Sequitur vineyard sits right next to the Beaux Frères “Upper Terrace” but is planted to a wider array of clones at tighter spacing. It’s been farmed biodynamically since the beginning and is sheltered with Douglas Fir—in short, it’s the fully realized vision of a man who’s helped define Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

The winemaking style is exactly what you’d expect—these are wines that are made by the same hand that delivered so many high scores to Beaux Frères. Big, powerful and bold, these nevertheless have energy and grace that we think comes from the extra-attentive farming and unique clonal selection in the vineyard. In short order, Sequitur has established itself as one of the very best producers in the Willamette Valley and deserves your attention as such.

Sequitur wines in stock now: 

Sequitur Chardonnay Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Sequitur Chardonnay delivers toasted almonds, baker’s yeast, fresh ginger and coriander seed on the nose with a core of grapefruit, white peaches and spiced apples. Light to medium-bodied, it gives a great intensity of savory flavor layers intermingled with stone fruit and citrus notions, finishing long with great freshness and mineral notes.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Light, brilliant yellow. Powerful, spice-accented orchard and pit fruit aromas pick up lemon pith, honey and floral nuances with air. Fleshy and broad on entry, offering white peach and pear nectar flavors that steadily firm up on the back half. Blends power and finesse with a smooth hand and finishes very long and precise, with resonating mineral and floral notes.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Sequitur Chardonnay Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Pale yellow-gold. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying intense citrus and orchard fruit scents complemented by suggestions of toasty lees, iodine and sweet butter. Sappy, penetrating and seamless in texture, offering concentrated pear nectar, peach, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors that deepen slowly on the back half while maintaining energy. Finishes with repeating pear and floral notes, with a late jolt of dusty minerality pulling things together.”
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2016 Sequitur Chardonnay has a gregarious nose of spiced, baked yellow apples and warm pineapple with notes of toast, honey, hazelnut and hay. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm orchard and tropical fruits accented by nuances of baking spice, nuts and honey, with a touch of creaminess to the texture, juicy acidity and a long, mineral-laced finish. 85 cases produced.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Sequitur Chardonnay Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Glistening straw-yellow. Vibrant, mineral-accented aromas of white peach, Anjou pear, melon and Meyer lemon carry a bright floral overtone. Juicy and densely packed, displaying a suave blend of richness and vivacity to the mineral-drenched citrus and orchard fruit and floral flavors. Picks up smoky lees, honey and iodine notes with air and shows outstanding clarity on a strikingly long, penetrating finish that echoes the mineral and citrus fruit notes.”
Winery Note “The 2018 growing season was warm and dry, resulting in yet another remarkable vintage on Ribbon Ridge. Towards the end of the summer, just before harvest, Jack was born. With the arrival of our first grandchild, we felt for the first time the presence of a new generation on the farm, reminding us of the cycle of renewal and growth. This vintage has the bright freshness of new breath—we hope you enjoy it! “

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Sequitur Chardonnay Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Winery note “This year marked the 50th anniversary of the iconic music festival. As a tribute to the festival’s message of harmony, cooperation and hope—and as a nod to the persistent rains that helped define both this year’s harvest and the 1969 festival—we bring you Woodstock, Sequitur’s melodic, inspiring 2019 vintage.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Sequitur Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Deep brilliant red. A strikingly complex bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented red berries, cherry cola, vanilla, five-spice powder and sandalwood. Alluringly sweet, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Delivers a compelling blend of power and delicacy and finishes extremely long and smooth; rounded tannins frame the lingering red fruit preserve notes.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Pale to medium ruby purple in color, the 2015 Sequitur Pinot Noir has a very provocative nose of Bing cherries and cranberries over a core of red roses, game, yeast extract and underbrush. Medium-bodied, with wonderful energy and freshness, it has a lively backbone and long finish paved with very fine, ripe tannins.”
Winery note “Sequitur 2015 Pinot Noir “Two fold,” a collaboration between our Mother, the earth, those of us who “play” in the vineyard and winery, and you, the wine lover.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Sequitur Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96 points “Glimmering red. A hugely aromatic bouquet evokes fresh red fruits, Asian spices and potpourri, along with a bright mineral overtone and a touch of smokiness. Juicy, seamless and precise on the palate, offering potent, mineral-laced raspberry preserve, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out steadily on the back half. Delivers a compelling blend of power and finesse and finishes with silky tannins, outstanding clarity and floral- and mineral-driven persistence.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Sequitur Pinot Noir has a lovely, open nose of black and red cherries and blackberries with notions of wood smoke, turned earth, autumn leaves, cardamom and potpourri. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with ripe black and red fruits with wonderful earthy/spicy accents, very fine, grainy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing long with spice and floral layers. 480 cases produced.”

Sequitur Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-95 points “Lurid red. Spice-tinged blackberry and cherry aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola, incense and smoky minerals. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated dark berry and spicecake flavors and suggestions of rose pastille and mocha that build with air. Concentrated but also vibrant and precise in style, delivering superb finishing cut, well-knit tannins and impressive, fruit-driven persistence. (30% new French oak).”
Nick Stock-Jamessuckling 96 points “Beautifully deep, blueberries and plums on offer with notes of fresh violets and moist, fresh-tilled earth. This is full of life and very pure. The palate has focused and fresh tannins that sit in very vibrant style with a deep push of concentrated blue fruit, holding the finish in superb style. So fresh and long, this will age well. Drink across the next decade or more.”
Winery Note “Totality—During the growing season of 2017, Oregon was treated to a total solar eclipse, where the moon passed exactly between the earth and the sun.  Day turned to night, the temperature dropped and the farm animals were disoriented.  The moment of awe was tempered with a deep sense of vulnerability, as we witnessed our world bow down to the power of nature.  May this 2017 vintage seeped in “totality,” bring you a fresh perspective.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Sequitur Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Bright ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, cherry pie, potpourri and exotic spices, all sharpened by a smoky mineral overtone. Deeply concentrated and energetic in the mouth, offering sappy, mineral- and spice-drenched black raspberry, cherry cola and rose pastille flavors that spread out steadily on the back half. Shows fine definition and finishes extremely long and sappy, with polished tannins and lingering floral and blue fruit liqueur notes. 25% new oak.”
James Suckling 97 points “A very succulent, concentrated pinot with a strong (40%) whole-cluster influence, delivering sappy, fresh and aromatic lift to the blueberry and ripe-cherry aromas. The palate has such succulent and assertive tannin drive, yet the textural interface remains silky and fluid. It has depth and volume and a very commanding finish. Give this some time. Try from 2024.”
Winery Note “The 2018 growing season was warm and dry, resulting in yet another remarkable vintage on Ribbon Ridge. Towards the end of the summer, just before harvest, Jack was born. With the arrival of our first grandchild, we felt for the first time the presence of a new generation on the farm, reminding us of the cycle of renewal and growth. This vintage has the bright freshness of new breath—we hope you enjoy it! “

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Sequitur Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge  2019 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “This full-bodied red is buoyed by a deep, tense core of tannins and acidity, framed by blueberry and raspberry flavors that show dusky spice and forest floor accents, building density toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030. 517 cases made.  –TF”
Winery note “This year marked the 50th anniversary of the iconic music festival. As a tribute to the festival’s message of harmony, cooperation and hope—and as a nod to the persistent rains that helped define both this year’s harvest and the 1969 festival—we bring you Woodstock, Sequitur’s melodic, inspiring 2019 vintage.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Thirty years ago, Russ Raney founded Evesham Wood and planted the small, dry-farmed and certified organic estate vineyard. Erin Nuccio took over the estate over ten years ago after working for and with Russ at the estate, founding his own original label (Haden Fig) during that time. Under Erin’s stewardship, the already topnotch winery has continued to improve, showcasing the profound terroir of the land. We’re honored to stock his lineup from the pristinely poised Willamette Valley up to the deeply moving estate barrel selection, Cuvee J. As a founding member of the Deep Roots Coalition (which includes other members such as Cameron, Crowley, Eyrie, Goodfellow, and Sequitur), the dedication to perfection and care for the land shows through. These are graceful, liner wines that will astound for years, especially from such a wildly delicious vintage as 2019.

Evesham Wood in stock now 

Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Winery note “[2017 vintage] One of the greatest characteristics Russ finds in our proprietary yeast that he “isolated” from a bottle of 1986 Jayer Echezeaux is the velvety texture it imparts on the wines.  While we use that yeast in every Pinot Noir we make, the texture it imparts is particularly notable in this wine. Elegant while also concentrated and powerful.  Berries, plum and sage with hints of toasty oak with great length on the finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Evesham Wood Illahe Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Illahe Vineyard was purchased in 1999 and first planted in 2001 with 22 acres of pinot noir. Today it is a 52-acre vineyard with seven varieties and 44 acres of pinot noir. When it is completely planted, they will have 60 acres under vine. Illahe is a warm site that experiences slightly earlier budbreak and flowering than many other vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Two reasons for this are the southerly aspect of the vineyard and the moderate elevation. The vineyard also has excellent drainage during cold snaps, and it’s just to the south of the Van Duzer winds which begin in the late summer that cool other vineyards in the evening, slowing maturity.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills  2019 750ML ($47.95) $34.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Once again our quarter acre of Chardonnay at the very top of Le Puits Sec only gave us a single barrel of wine. It was barrel-fermented in neutral oak and allowed to complete its full malo-lactic conversion. Following the malos we racked the wine clean and held it in barrel for an additional 12 months. While not as broad as the 2018, there is a touch more fruit—more quince than apple— than the 2017 and a firm mineral texture.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Le Puits Sec, the gently sloping, east-facing vineyard is tightly-spaced and nestled on a low terrace (300-420 ft. elevation) on the eastern side of the Eola-Amity Hills ridge. This area, known locally as “Spring Valley”, has already proven to have one of Oregon’s best micro-climates for the production of fine wines from Burgundian and Alsatian varieties. It is here that the rather shallow volcanic basalt soils allow us to achieve the low yields we seek for wines of great intensity and complexity. As well, it is the uniqueness of this “terroir” that gives Le Puits Sec wines their signature.”

Can’t get enough Oregon wines? We carry over 160 bottlings from producers such as Bergstrom, Biggio Hamina, Crowley, J.C Somers, Kelley Fox, and Maloof!

Wines in stock now:  

Bergstrom ‘Gargantua’ Oregon Syrah USA 2017 750ML ($54.95) $49 special, 22 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Aromas of stewed black cherries, grilled herbs, porcini mushrooms, paprika and herbs. It’s medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Structured and toned, yet fresh and vibrant. Tannic and caressing at the same time. Try from 2022.”
Josh Bergstrom note “Vineyards: Suymbion (Eola-Amity Hills AVA), Folin (Rogue Valley AVA), Mae’s (Applegate Valley AVA); a mixture of volcanic, sedimentary and uplifted ancient alluvium;l 13.2% alc.; 200 cs produced. Very classic Syrah perfume with peppery red/black fruits, garrigue, and dried herbs. The nose is distinctively mineral with notes of iron, wet stone, and grilled meat. This wine is powerful but also very floral and charming. Wonderfully fruity and floral in the mouth with a dark red core of sweetness and blueberry flavors framed by ripe, stony tannins and a long, savory, mineral finish. When I created the gargantuan label in 2013, this is really the Rhone ranger wine I wanted to make.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Biggio Hamina Cellars Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($45.95) $27 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Limpid red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red berries, Asian spices and smoky minerals, plus a sexy floral nuance that builds quickly with air. Sharply defined bitter cherry, raspberry, blood orange, spicecake and rose pastille flavors show excellent depth but no excess weight. Gentle, well-integrated tannins frame a strikingly long, spice- and floral-driven finish that conveys a suave blend of power and delicacy. 100% whole clusters.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Biggio Hamina Cellars Johnson Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($39.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid garnet. Highly perfumed red fruit, potpourri, incense and a hint of succulent herbs on the assertively perfumed nose, which is lifted by a vibrant mineral quality. Silky and energetic on the palate, offering alluringly sweet, spice-tinged cherry and raspberry liqueur and rose pastille flavors and a hint of five-spice powder. Becomes deeper with air, with no loss of urgency, and finishes with firm, spicy thrust, well-knit tannins and a floral pastille note that lingers with strong tenacity. 100% whole clusters.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!