Willamette Valley Oregonis one of the absolute best wine regions in the entire world. They produce some of the most world class Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and (finally) Chardonnay not only in the US, but in the world. Willamette wine producers and workers are also some of the friendliest and most accommodating folks that you will ever encounter in wine country. They really know their stuff, and love sharing the wonders of Willamette wines. And the beauty of Willamette Valley vineyards and countryside may arguably be the prettiest wine country overall in the US.
But don’t pronounce Willamette “will-a-meat”, or “will-a-met” or anything else. You will be corrected immediately by the locals…
“It is pronounced Will-am-it, just like Dammit!”
My lovely bride and I had a Wedding Anniversary coming up, and we decided we wanted to go to wine country…yah shocker huh? We know Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley like the back of our hands because we visit often. We know the best areas to taste, we know where to eat, we know that if we are not done tasting wine at 5:00 in Sonoma Valley we can go to Girard and their tasting room is open until 7-PM. In other words we love the familiarity, and it is like our second home to some extent. But sadly we had never been to Oregon Wine Country before and we were seeking a new adventure.
I get the opportunity to attend many really cool and informative wine events and tastings events as they come through the Dallas/Fort Worth area. This was the case when “Pinot In The City – Willamette Valley Wine”came to town last year, and decided almost immediately that Willamette Valley, Oregon would be my next wine country destination!
We flew into Portland, rented a car at the airport and headed South. Portland is a city that I definitely want to spend some time soon. Hipsters, coffee houses, microbreweries, great food, and a really cool vibe in the city. But we had wine country waiting for us, SO ROLL ON THROUGH!
VIDON VINEYARDS
Our fist visit was with Vidon Vineyards (Vee-Dohn) outside of Newberg. We had an early 9:00 Am appointment with the proprietor Don Hagge. We drove through the simple entrance, through the beautiful vineyards, and around the house overlooking the vineyards to the small production facilities just beyond the home. We noticed a sign that read “Tasting Room” and we looked around, but no one came out to meet us. But I heard a John Deere Gator coming towards me between the vines, and here comes an older gentleman with a full head of white hair. We introduced ourselves, and I soon learned more about Don Hagge and what drives this amazing man. As I discovered he is very hands-on and spends a lot of time attending to his vines. We also discovered even at his advanced age he really is a One Man Show for the most part! To say Don Hagge is an amazing would be a gross understatement.
Don Hagge was Chief Astrophysicist at Nasa Space Program from 1964-1970, assisting with Apollo, Saturn 1, and Explorer programs
Don Hagge Pouring his wines!
Have you ever actually met a Rocket Scientist before? Well I have now, and I love this man! He took a shinning to my wife Margie too It seems… as I turned my back for a moment and he put her on the Gator as he weaved through the vineyards collecting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Voignier grapes for her simply because she asked what they tasted like before crushing. What a charming man, and he just makes you feel better about yourself for knowing him!
After he retired from NASA he enjoyed several ventures. In 1999 at the ripe age of 69 Don decided he wanted to become a Winemaker. So he bought land in Oregon’s Chehalem Mountain AVA in Willamette Valley, cleared the land and planted vines. He built his home on the property in 2003. And he has never looked back. At 85 years young Don is still sharp as a tack and full of energy!
Vidon Reserve Wines
Wine production is onsite and current production is about 2000 cases of 100% Estate-Grown wines. His Pinot Noir is produced from 5 different clones. He also produces Tempranillo and Syrah. White wines include a damn good Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Viognier, and the favorite for my wife Margie ; Rose from Pinot Noir!
If you are in Willamette stop by Vidon Vineyards. Visit with Don Hagge and taste his great wines. You will thank me.
ALLORO VINEYARDS
After a trip back to Newberg for lunch, we were off to our next appointment Alloro Vineyards. Alloro is a very stunning property that is immaculately landscaped and reminiscent of Vineyards and wineries in Tuscany, Italy. Landscaping was absolutely beautiful, and the grounds were magnificent but not ostentatious in the least. In fact, the property is very welcoming and comfortable for guests. Just off of the tasting room is a picnic area for patrons so they can sit with a glass of wine and breath in the wonderful scenery. Margie immediately grabbed a glass of 2014 Estate Pinot Noir, plopped herself in a chair on the patio, and watched the hawks fly over the perfect rows of grapevines. She was in heaven, or actually Willamette Dammit. And while she loves good wine and definitely can tell the difference between a good and not so good wine; she couldn’t care less about all the details and nuances of how it was actually produced. Me on the other hand… Well I am a wine geek. So I met and chatted with Winemaker Tom Fitzpatrick.
Alloro Vineyards Entrance
Alloro Vineyards was originally planted in 1999, and the 34-acre vineyard is devoted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Muscat on Laurel Ridge in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, Willamette Valley. The production facilities and winery are on site to improve processing from vines to crush in a very short time, and is powered by Solar. An incredible gravity flow design in the production buildings gently moves the wine from crush pad, through fermentation and then barrels in the underground cave! Production is around 2500 cases per year.
UC Davis educated and trained in Burgundy, Winemaker Tom Fitzpatrick explained the terroir is paramount to making wines from the vineyards of Alloro. The soil, aspect of the vineyards, and the painstaking process of gentle handling and gravity flow are all designed to bring out the purity of flavor and to preserve its signature qualities of the site.
Tom believes that a wine should be an “expression of place, at a moment in time”
2014 Alloro Pinot Noir. Red and dark fruits dominate, with notes of spice, and rose petal on the nose. While fruit forward and great concentration, it has a beautiful texture, ample structure and substance, with great balance.
2015 Alloro Chardonnay. Dijon clones, cool climate style. Palate is full, balanced and a great core of minerality that really fits my palate. Pear, tropical fruits, nuttiness dance on the tongue.
DINNER
We left Alloro and headed back to our hotel to get ready for dinner at Dundee Bistro Wine & Bubble Bar. A classic wine bistro with a great selection of wines, heavy on Willamette Valley, and casual enough that you can wear jeans and a nice shirt and feel very comfortable. The food was farm-to-table New American, and offered many local wines by the glass. As a bonus Ponzi Vineyards has a Tasting Room next door, and you can BYOB for a small fee. We enjoyed a Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2012. Tangy red fruits, dark cherry, spices, savory with an earthy edge. Very nice!
ROCO WINERY
The following day we had a late 11:00 appointment at Roco Winery outside of Newberg. After breakfast we had a little time before our appointment, so we decided to drive around just enjoy the area before our appointment. As I stated earlier Willamette may be the prettiest wine country anywhere. It is Willamette Dammit, and I love this valley! I scouted out several places that was a must visit either later on this trip or the next one.
Rocco Winery, Newberg Or
I wanted to visit Roco Winery for one reason; Winemaker Rollin Soles. Known for his quick wit and handlebar mustache, the Texas-born (big points for being Texan) Soles co-founded Argyle Winery in 1987. He left in 2013 to concentrate on his own project “Rocco”, which had been open for about 10 years at that point. Rollin received a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Texas A&M and a master’s degree in enology and viticulture at U C Davis. I have been a big fan of Rollin’s wines at Argyle for many years, and he was one of the few Winemakers to produce a Red, White, and Sparkling Wine that reached the Wine Spectator Top 100. But alas the wine gods were not shining on me this morning as Rollin had a personal issue, and he was called away and wasn’t able to join me. So we did a quick tasting of the wines and I hope to return on my next trip to get a better look at what the infamous Winemaker and Willamette Legend is up too with Rocco.
Roco Gravel Road Chardonnay
2015 Roco Gravel Road Chardonnay was delightful. Blended from his 3 favorite Chardonnay vineyards. Creamy and rich, notes of peach, pear, apricot. This is a sensuous and sexy wine!
LUNCH
Lunch in wine country always draws me to where the locals eat, such as Dry Creek General Storein Sonoma. Well we found a great place like reminiscent this day; Red Hills Market in Dundee! Delicious wood fired oven pizza on the patio & a glass of local Pinot Noir with the locals was perfect. They have a great menu, sell lots of cured meats, salads, and sandwiches. You can also find a few wine country paraphernalia here such as wine glasses, coffee mugs, and country store type items that oddly are not readily prevalent in Willamette unlike other areas such as Napa, Sonoma, or even Hill Country of Texas. That was surprising, as tasting rooms cam make a lot of extra cash selling these items. But possibly the folks in Willamette were here to sell wine, not trinkets and t-shirts. After all it is Willamette Damnit!
VISTA HILLS WINERY
Our next stop was top 5 of all the winery visits I have ever experienced at Vista Hills Winery!
Vista Hills Vineyard
Vista Hills Vineyardand Winery is next door to Domaine Serene, and down the road from Domaine Drouhin. So you can understand this is exalted terroir that produces some of the absolute best Pinot Noir in the world.
The Winery and Tasting Room are in the top of the hill surrounded and shaded by large trees. When you walk in the lobby you are amazed by the breathtaking scenery just outside the doors the tall windows and glass doors.
Large shaded wooden deck called The Treehouse overlooking a vast valley of perfectly manicured grapevines… Astonishingly beautiful!
The Treeehouse, Vista Hills Vineyard, Dundee Oregon
Winemaker Dave Petterson, Vista Hills Vineyards
We sat out on the shaded deck overlooking the vines with Winemaker Dave Petterson for about 2 hours as he personally poured through his wines, and chatting about the wonders of Vista Hills and how to get the most from this hallowed land for his wines. Unlike some of his fore mentioned neighbors just to the North and East of him, Dave believes applying a minimalistic approach in the cellar to showcase both site and vintage. In part this means low use of new oak, and believes in the brick red Jory soil dense with nutrients that grow these amazing grapes! He produces several Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, and are 100% Estate Grown fruit.
’15 Vista Hills Piedmont Pinot Noir Dundee Hills, OR
2015 Vista Hills Piedmont Pinot Noir Dundee, Willamette Valley : Somewhat translucent in the glass, but don’t let that fool you. This wine is bursting of flavor. Raspberry, ripe dark cherry, cloves, baking spices. Smooth finish and mild tannins. Exceptional.
It was getting late in the afternoon, so we decided to go see one of my favorite Willamette Valley Wines; Penner-Ash!
PENNER ASH CELLERS
Penner-Ash Tasting Room
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars is sitting on the top of a large hill overlooking a beautiful valley below. The winery is state of the art, and gravity flow. We met a lovely young lady pouring wines and I explained was a Wine Writer & apologized because I didn’t have an appointment. She couldn’t have been more accommodating. The tasting fee is $25, but if you purchase a Single Vineyard or better wine they waive the tasting fee. We did of course purchase a few bottles because these are tremendous Pinots, and some can only be purchased at the winery.
Penner-Ash Cellars
We decided to do a quick tasting, then purchase a bottle and go to the patio overlooking Willamette valley and soak it all in. We were well rewarded as this may be one of the best views in the valley! And my bride Margie got to do what she likes best… sit & sip wine with a beautiful view.
HEAVEN!
If I could say anything about Willamette Valley wines overall they are exceptional. In fact they make some of the absolute best Pinot Noir in the world. And the Willamette Valley is simply incredibly beautiful. Thinking about going to wine country soon? Let me help you:
Go to Willamette Valley and don’t forget; It’s “Willamette Dammit!”
Thank you for taking the time to read my article, and PLEASE leave a commentbelow to let me know you were here.
This is the story of an evening with Stephanie Cook and Wonderment Wines.
Sharing gourmet food and great wines with a beautiful talented winemaker is a hard life…
But someone has to do it!
Stephanie Cook of Wonderment Wines
One of the most exciting things I get the opportunity to do on occasion is meet Winemakers in person. I enjoy as they share their passion with me on how and why they make this beautiful nectar of the gods called wine. I enjoy this, well… mostly because I am a wine geek deep down inside. I love talking wine, and I get to pick their minds about their theory and process of making wine. Mostly I admire them greatly for doing what I secretly would love to do myself; grow grapes and make wine. However most meetings with Winemakers and producers of wine are short and to the point. Rarely do I get to spend time with them and get to know what really makes them who they are.
And then there are exceptional evenings like this!
About 6 weeks before this fun evening my good friend Samuel shared a bottle of Wonderment Bacigalupi Vineyard Petite Sirah, and quite frankly… It blew me away.
Samuel Rickords has a Wine Distributorship based in Dallas by the name of Redoux Wine. He specializes in boutique wines from small talented producers. He is also a member of the wine group I started many years back called the Dallas Wineaux. I had asked him to let me know if the Winemaker for Wonderment was ever in the Dallas area. So, ever the idea man, Samuel put together a tasting menu at Jaspers Gourmet Backyard Cuisine in Richardson, TX and arranged for Stephanie Cook to fly in to join several of us from the Dallas Wineaux group.
Jaspers Richardson. Photo by Swan Photography
First let me start by saying Jaspers Richardson is brand new, state of the art, high tech, and absolutely beautiful. You can see and read more on Jaspers Richardson and the location by clicking here! Most of the restaurant is bar area, with high top seating and upscale area that would be perfect for a small groups of 4-8. It sure makes me want to grab the Dallas Wineaux group and head to Happy Hour. The Chef Evan Tanner had a terrific spread of appetizers, charcuterie, and small plates to nibble on. Everything was scrumptious. And I assure you we will be back to Jaspers soon!
Gourmet plates courtesy of Jaspers Richardson!Dallas Wineaux Wine Group At Jaspers Richardson
I had done a little research on Wonderment Wines and about Stephanie Cook beforehand. So I had an idea she was a beautiful woman. But when she walked in you understand immediately she is even more lovely than her pictures. Her beautiful smile and stunning looks are dramatic. But after a few moments you realize she is also very intelligent, talented, extremely gracious, and very engaging. And her passion for Wonderment Wines is evident immediately.
After a quick meet and greet with the other Dallas Wineaux including Kelly Nolan of www.winedowndallas.comand Lori Sullivan ofwww.loristwistedcork.comStephanie started pouring her wines and telling her story.
Talking wine with Stephanie Cook! Photo by Swan Photography
Stephanie is a very driven woman and is not one to take no for an answer. I loved as she told fascinating stories of traveling the world as a Fashion Model in Milan, London, and more. Then going back to school where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University. Soon after turning her sights to winemaking. She literally informed Bob Biale of Robert Biale Vineyards that she was coming to work for him and furthermore, he was going to teach her how to make wine! After stints at Spottswood and in New Zealand for Spy Valley Wines and then at Staglin Family Vineyards she felt like she was ready to make her mark in the glorious world of winemaking.
The rest as they say is history… or as she likes to say a “balancing act!”
Balance and terroir is the key to everything Stephanie does when it pertains to wine. She makes 7 wines, and about 1500 cases per year total.
She insists on getting only the best fruit available from premium sites, and so every wine she makes is a “vineyard designate”. So…No Blending!
Wonderment Wines. Photo by Swan Photography
Any real wine enthusiast will recognize these incredible vineyards that Stephanie is sourcing her fruit: Oak Knoll, Dutton-Campbell, Dr. Stan’s, Bacigalupi, Rockpile, and Burton Ranch just to name the few that she brought for tasting!
Tasting Notes from Wonderment Wines at Jaspers Richardson. Photo by Swan Photography
Tasting Notes:
2015 Oak Knoll Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Stainless steel fermented. Floral on the nose with a citrusy lemon, grass, Asian pear, and a terrific saline quality. Floral, grapefruit, and saline/stone finish. I like this wine, and I really need a few bottles for this summer at the pool!
2013 Dutton-Campbell Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Very juicy fruit forward style from Green Valley AVA. Floral notes and black cherry dominate the nose. Supple silky tannins. Black cherry, strawberry, cranberry, current, with touch of oak and spice. This is a very sexy and sensual style of Pinot Noir. Trust me when I say “you will like it”.
2013 Dr Stan’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Carneros. Dr. Stan’s Vineyard only has 1-1/2 acres of Dijon Clone 115 that was grown primarily for a certain well known sparkling wine producer (I promised not to tell for whom). Translucent in the glass, but definite tannins give a good to great structure. Juicy bing cherry and slight cola on the palate turn to mushroom and earth. This earth & mushroom character gives the wine somewhat a Burgundian feel that I was not expecting. Very nice wine!
2013 Bacigalupi Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel Russian River come from 40-50 year old vines. It is a “Feminine Zin” if you can have such a thing, in that it is very floral zinfandel (Lilac). Integrated silky tannins, incredible acidity. Red & black fruits such as black cherry, strawberry, blackberry,and slight white pepper with a LONG finish. Outstanding.
2012 Rockpile Zinfandel was more of what most people would think of when you think Sonoma Zin, but it has a very restrained edge. Very balanced with black cherry, cola, and a long spicy finish that goes for days. Impressive.
2013 Burton Ranch Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel Lake County. This is a BIG wine, but plenty of finesse as well. Truly “old vine” from plantings from Lake County dating back to 1890’s. Tannins are evident in this young wine so plenty of structure and a real aging potential in my opinion. Sweet cherry compote, Asian spices and white pepper. Classic Zinfandel in every way except only 14.5% alc (most big zins are closer to 16% alc). If you are a Sonoma Zinfandel fanatic this Old Vine Zin fits the bill!
2011 Bacigalupi Vineyards Petite Sirah Russian River Valley This was my favorite. I am a sucker for a great Pitite Sirah, and this one hits all the marks from the nose to the long finish! Deep Dark Devilish of a red wine that isn’t for wanmby pambies! Full bodied with black fruits and a spicy finish that just keeps going and going in your mouth long after you have swallowed. Absolutely stunning wine from start to finish!
Across the board these wines from Wonderment are very good to outstanding. It is exciting to think what the wines from Wonderment will be when Stephanie has decades of vintages behind her.
You can find Wonderment Wines in select restaurants and order direct here. They are very fairly priced, especially considering the quality of the wines and across the board ‘Vineyard Desinate” only wines.
Pictures of the event are all courtesy of Asher Swan and Swan Photography.If you would like to contact him click hereor call him at 707-217-4381.
Wonderment Wines. Photo courtesy of Swan Photography
Wonderment Wines Mission Statement
“Wonderment Wines represent intelligent effort, value and balance which create a sense of ‘Wonder’. Our wines are focused on specific terroir where each wine represents the vineyards distinctive style and expression. Thru artisanal methods and minimal intervention in both the vineyard and the cellar along with a focus on environmental and social consciousness we look forward to providing each customer no less than exactly what they desire.”
Every Wonderment cork has a great message! Photo by Swan Photography
Go to her web sight and buy her wines. And tell her the Texas Wineaux sent you!
Savour South Australia Wines: Old Vines, Classic Wines, Family Lines made it’s way through Dallas, Texas this last week. I was luck enough to be invited to attend the Seminar in Downtown Dallas located at Café Momentum.
Savour South Australia Seminar!
About the time I think I actually know a lot about wine, I quickly realize there is an immense amount of information about the wonders of wine and the production of grapes that I have yet to learn. This is why I have such a passion for the grape; just as many of you reading this now do as well. It is a never ending journey discovery and love for this thing called wine. So when I get invited, I feel very fortunate to get to attend these types of seminars. I always learn so much, and is very humbling at the same time, and I start my journey of discovery all over again.
Savour South Australia Wines Seminar was no exception!
Savour South Australia Lineup. A great way to start Lunch on a Tuesday!
Australia’s wine story is long and storied. The South Australian wine story is even more exciting and historic.
I discovered some of the oldest living grape vines in the world are in Australia!
The Barossa and McLaren Vale Regions of South Australia are the only one of the world-famous viticultural area in the world NOT to have been ravaged by Phylloxera. Therefore it remains home to some of the oldest continually producing vineyards in the world.
The first Colony was founded in 1836 in Australia, with McLaren Valearea founded by John McLaren 2 years afterward. The first grape vines were planted at this time in 1838 by John Reynelland Thomas Hardy. Soon the Seaview Winery and Hardy Winery were in operation by 1850!
The Barossa was settled in 1842 with some of the first European Settlers. First came the British as farmers and landowners, and then the Lutheran German speaking Silesian farmers and craftsmen, who brought also brought in the grapevines to the Barossa, and the rest is history!
Wine Regions of Australia
The State of South Australia is one of 6 total and 2 Territories. To get an idea of the size, the State of South Australia is 1.4% bigger than the size of the State of Texas. With a population however of only 1.3 million, or about the population of Dallas, Texas alone. Most of these residents live in the City of Adelaide.
Map of South Australia
The cool winds blow from West to East across South Australia coming from the Antarctica, so even though the summer temperatures can be very warm, the cool winds are ideal for cooling the grapes at night and keeping humidity from being much of an issue in viticulture. Cool wet winters and warm, dry summers are ideal for grape growing.
Temperatures are only slightly warmer than that of the Bordeaux region of France in the Barossa Valley. The makes for lush wines more similar to the Napa Valley in California. Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay are the favored white wines for Barossa, but you will also find Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz (Syrah), and Mataro (Mourvedre) are king here. In fact some of the oldest Grenache vines in the world are still thriving today, dating back to 1848, and 1843 for gnarly old Shiraz grapevines!
The Eden Valleydepends on the higher altitude and the slope of the hills, as well as the more shallow and rocky soils to produce more acidic wines such as world class Riesling!
McLaren Vale is located about 40 minutes south of the capitol of South Australia, Adelaide. The climate is Mediterranean and characterized by warm summers, moderate winters dominated by rainfall, low relative humidity, and relatively high evaporation. The climate can be very diverse between the Gulf of St Vincent to the south and Mt. Lofty to the north. This climatic diversity helped producers embrace Spanish and Italian varieties such as Barbera, Fiano, Tempranillo, Mouvedre, and Moscato, as well as re-emerging varieties such as Viognier, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Verdelho. Having said that the Key Varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and the crown jewel of McLaren Vale; Shiraz!
We tasted through the 12 wines listed below, and each were very different, yet very reminiscent of the “Aussie Styles” that I have been familiar with from top quality wines I have been accustomed too in the past.
Savour South Australia Wine Seminar
The intense Grenache, Mouvedre, and GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mouvedre) can be very tannic when young, but the aging potential is outstanding. The young wines tend to be full bodied, lush ripe & rich dark fruits, chocolate, licorice, and complex. The Aged Wines lend more to mocha, earthy, prune, savory meats, cigar box.
The 2010 Cirillo Estate 1850 Grenache was produced from Grenache vines dating back to 1850. Bright Cherry, intense and seductive palate.
My favorites were the Shiraz’s (6-9 on list above). The Dark fruits such as blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum dominate with floral qualities, and long finishes. Aging potential should be outstanding. I would love to taste through these Shiraz again in 20 years just to see how it has evolved.
My absolute favorite was the 2010 Angove The Medhyk Shiraz. The fruit was hand-picked with only the best, then hand selected with only the best barrels to insure the absolute best the winery can offer! This is a wine I will be looking to add to my collection.
Another favorite of the day was the 2006 Elderton Ode de Lorraine Barossa Valley. This is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Shiraz, and 12% Merlot. This was a very lush wine with black and red fruits, current, vanilla, and fresh leather. Still plenty of tannin structure remaining after 10 years in bottle, really shows how well this wine was structured. I will be looking for this bottle as well!
Elderton Ode To Lorraine
Most unusual wine of the year for me? The 2012 Shingleback Black Bubbles McLaren Vale! This is a SPARKLING SHIRAZmade in the “Methode Traditionelle” of the Champagne Region of France with the secondary fermentation in-bottle! Yes you read right… A sparkling red wine! I understand in McLaren Vale Region it is traditional to open a sparkling shiraz at Christmas Dinner. I was amazed and cannot wait to find more here in Texas. The body of a red wine with the cleansing palate of a sparkling wine would be perfect for a spicy Chinese dish including Peking Duck.
As I said I learned so much, and I got to spend time with my Dallas Wineauxs Wine Group I started a few years ago, so a fun time was had by all.
I have gotten a new-found respect and admiration for the Wines of South Australia!
So next time you are out looking for a terrific high quality wine remember the Wines of South Australia!
Thank you for reading my ramblings and thoughts. Please leave a commentof any kind, I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas, or anything relating to the Wines of South Australia and any other article included.
I am revisiting a tasting and review of Dylan’s Ghost wines from June of 2014. Joseph Carris the producer and the Winemaker is Aaron Potts. Aaron was named Winemaker of the Year for Napa Valley in 2012. Pretty great resume if you know wine and the incredible folks that make this nectar of the gods!
“I hold a beast, an angel and a madman in me… and my effort is their self-expression.” -Dylan Thomas-
I am a big fan of Joseph Carr, and he has an exciting portfolio of wines from easy to drink Rose’ to big bold reds that really get your attention. I am an even bigger fan of Aaron Potts.
Aaron Potts has worked with the true legends in Bordeaux including Michael Rolland. He was Winemaker for Château Troplong Mondot and Château La Tour Figeac Grand Cru Classé St. Emilion. In 2001 he returned to Napa to become the Winemaker at St. Clement and later in 2004 as GM and Winemaker at Quintessa. I love his thoughts on winemaking;
“I think I’m looking for what existed in Napa before the late ’90s,” he says. “All these artificially concentrated, superfruity wines are a bit boring. I’ve tasted so many great, older Napa wines, and I always wonder, why aren’t we making these wines anymore?” -Aaron Potts-
2010 Dylan’s Ghost Stags Leap Vineyard
“THE BEAST”
’10 The Beast from Joseph Carr
This is a deep dark and brooding wine in the glass. In fact it is bordering on inky, most likely because of content of Petit Sirah. The blend is 1/3 each of Cab Franc, Merlot, and Petit Sirah.
The Beast is a BIG WINE, so if you are looking for an easy to drink pinot noir this is not your wine!
Aromas of sweet raspberry, plum, vanilla, mushroom, bacon, and hints of cinnamon.
The Beast is a full body red wine with immediate notes of rich plum and blackberry, rolling into black fruits and raspberry. The flavors seem to change again as I swish it back and forth in my mouth, with flavors evolving into a long finish of crisp apple-smoked bacon and raw cinnamon that go on and on after swallowing.
Med heavy tannins that will mellow in the coming years.
Though lacking somewhat in acidity, it is still a real quality wine that I feel will improve with 2-5 years in bottle, and should age well in the next 10-15. In fact, I wish I had another bottle to compare notes in 10-12 years.
This wine would match perfect with Grilled red meats such as Pork Chops, Steak, Smoked Brisket, or especially Pulled Pork!
The Beast retails for around $48 and can be found at Wine Seacher here
NOTE: Check out my review of the Hell Hollow and the incredible Rose’ Angel from older post dated June 2014.
Thank you for following and reading the ramblings of the Texas Wineaux!
