Monday, October 16th, 2023
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Stephen Goff was Beaux Freres assistant winemaker for 7 years ('01-'08)
His list of accolades over 15 years as head winemaker of Colene Clemens:
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Dear friends,
This email highlights four Oregon Pinot Noir shining stars of the outstanding 2021 vintage which has deservedly been hailed "a Cinderalla Story."
The spotlight is on Colene Clemens. This release is a sure bet shoo-in for a fourth time in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year when announced this November.
10 cases were all we were able to secure for you. They will all sell instantly, as our $29.97 price is almost the same as when we last offered nearly a decade ago! Can you think of any price that's held for 9 years?
There's no need for predictions as the 2021s we have tasted are absolutely dazzling and boast the most exceptional quality we've seen since 2012 and 2016. We'll continue to offer you the very best we find, while stock lasts.
These are the final bottles of this vintage for all wines, so move quickly to get ahead of the mobs!
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2021 Colene Clemens Dopp Creek Chehelam Mountains Pinot Noir
94 Points, Top 10? of 2023 - Wine Spectator:
"This expressive red is dynamic, yet retains a sense of elegance and refinement, showing pomegranate and blueberry flavors underscored by river stone and dusky spice accents. Builds tension toward lively tannins. Drink now through 2032. 4,888 cases made." -TF (2023)
93 Points - James Suckling:
A juicy and tasty pinot with aromas of dark cherries, sliced mushrooms, chocolate strawberries, cardamom and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, creamy and well-balanced, with fine-grained tannins and a bright finish. Drink now or hold.
92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
The 2021 Pinot Noir Dopp Creek takes on a deep transparent ruby color and offers aromas of toasted baking spices, ripe red and black raspberry, cardamom, and fresh pine. Medium-bodied, with juicy fruit up front, it fills the palate with fine tannins, and its more serious structure shows itself after the more primary fruit subsides on the palate. It will do well with another 6-12 months in bottle. Drink it over the coming 6-8 years. Drink 2024-2032.
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Alcohol: 14.1%
- Only 10 cases available
Price: $29.97 btl
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“Although just 6,000 cases of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are made annually, this family-run estate epitomizes the best of what Willamette Valley has to offer and is synonymous with Oregon’s old-vine heritage. The wines are concentrated yet elegant, fruity yet flinty and are some of the most impressive wines I’ve tried anywhere—not just in the US.” —Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
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2021 Arterberry Maresh 'Old Vines' Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
98 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
“The 2021 Pinot Noir Old Vines comes from the Maresh Vineyard, from vines that were planted in 1970, and has a singular expression with detailed, spicy accents reminiscent of bitters or amaro. "You only get those high-toned essences if you pick al dente," winemaker Jim Maresh explains. "It's easy to volatilize all that away." The Old Vines has a medium ruby color and arresting aromas of orange bitters, mossy bark and tobacco leaves complementing a deep core of pomegranate, rhubarb and cranberry. The light-bodied palate offers remarkably pure, detailed flavors. It has velvety tannins, seamless freshness and a very long finish with a flourish of spicy accents. Drink 2025-2040." - Erin Brooks (5/18/23)
#22 Top 100 of 2021 - Wine Spectator (for 2018 v.):
“Structured yet elegantly layered, this version offers pretty violet, raspberry and spiced tea accents that build tension toward polished, medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029.” -TF (8/21)
Price: $59.97 btl
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2021 Ken Wright Cellars Eola-Amity Hills AVA Pinot Noir
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
This is a Goldilocks special, because the fruit, alcohol, acidity and tannins are just right. Rainier cherry and lavender aromas are joined by smaller notes of leather and a new cedar chest drawer. The wine’s cassis, orange pith and smoky Lapsang souchong tea flavors float on a soft, smooth texture. *Editors’ Choice* (MA)
94 Points - Decanter:
"Given what Oregon Pinot Noir fetches, that this wine can be had for less than two Jacksons is a bit mind-boggling. Beautifully red fruited with ample structure. Ken Wright shows why he consistently makes some of the Valley's great wines, irrespective of vintage: mildly austere aromas, crushed basalt, seaspray and a hint of dusty blackberries. The palate offers sheer generosity, candied watermelon, dusty black cherry, savoury dried herbs and a bright kiss of fresh mint—quite the wine. 2023 - 2032." -Clive Pursehouse (5/4/23)
93 Points - Wine Spectator:
Grace meets structure and tension in this Pinot, which offers deep blueberry and raspberry flavors highlighted by crushed stone, forest floor and dusky spices. Ends with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032. —T.F.
- Alcohol: 13.3%
- 19 bottles left
- Lowest price in California
Price: $39.97 btl
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2021 Ken Wright Cellars "Canary Hill Vineyard" Eola-Amity Hills AVA Pinot Noir
96 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"The Canary Hill is an aromatic powerhouse, combining blackberries, black tea, wet rocks and bittersweet dark chocolate. The wine's rich, smooth texture is a perfect foil for flavors of cherry-vanilla gelato flecked with dark chocolate chips. There's more than enough acidity and mildly chewy tannins to provide balance." — Michael Alberty (7/1/2023)
94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A wine that combines structure and verve, this Pinot is expressive, with raspberry and blueberry flavors laced with crushed stone, anise and dusky spices. Builds tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 608 cases made." - Tim Fish (web only 2023)
93 Points - James Suckling:
Excellent concentration to this pinot with mulberries, dark raspberries, cola, cloves and anise on the nose. It’s medium-bodied and focused, with compact tannins and lingering dark spiciness.
- Alcohol: 13.3%
- 21 bottles left
- Lowest price in California
Price: $64.97 btl
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2021 Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir
97 Points - International Wine Report:
"I’m incredibly impressed with the 2021s coming from the Cristom Estate, and this one is a perfect example of the phenomenal wines from the vintage. The Mt. Jefferson Estate Pinot Noir was just recently released, but it feels ready to drink now with impeccable balance, structure, and length. Notes of wild huckleberry, toasted anise, perfumed flowers, spiced red plum, and a hint of tangerine zest combine beautifully on the tongue. Delivering perfect balance, mouthwatering acidity, and rounded tannins, this will be a fun wine to watch over the next ten years to see how it evolves with age." (11/2022)
94 Points - James Suckling:
"Pretty notes of mulberries, spiced cherries, cloves and tea leaves. Some mushroom. It’s so silky, supple and delicious with very fine tannins. I like the savory tightness and minerality. Some rusty hints, too. Tight finish. 43% whole cluster. Drink from 2024." (4/23)
95 Points - Robert Parker's WA (2019 Vintage):
"The caliber of the 2019 Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir, Cristom's largest-production SKU, is impressive this vintage. Medium ruby-purple, it features savory cranberry sauce, orange peel and tar aromas with tones of dried flowers and spice. The medium-bodied palate offers the pleasing, gently grippy tannins and bright freshness characteristic of Cristom's generous whole-cluster inclusion, and it finishes with intense, layered fruits and floral accents." - Erin Brooks (Dec 2021)
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Alcohol: 13.5%
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Aging: 11 months in 20% new oak
- 15 bottles left
Elsewhere: $44.00 btl
Price: $39.97 btl
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More Pinot Noir Highlights
Click on their images to read on
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Get in touch!
Text → 650-880-3553
Call → 650-917-8080
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