Monday, August 21st, 2023
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“2021 was a Cinderella story.”
-Cristom Winemaker Daniel Estrin
Outstanding 2021 Releases from
Arterberry Maresh, Ken Wright, Cristom
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Arterberry Maresh
98 Points, RP Wine Advocate:
"...remarkably pure, detailed flavors. It has velvety tannins, seamless freshness and a very long finish with a flourish of spicy accents."
- 2018 was #22 WS Top 100. 4th vintage ever made. 40+ year-old vines
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24 bottles left - $59.97 btl
97 Points, RP Wine Advocate:
"Remiscent of Chablis, makes it impossible to put down"
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8 bottles of each left - $39.97 & $59.97 btl
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Ken Wright Pinot Noirs - Last 24 bottles each:
- "Mind-boggling, A goldilocks special.."
- 24 bottles left - $39.97 btl
- "An aromatic powerhouse.."
- 24 bottles left - $64.97 btl
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- "This one is a perfect example of the phenomenal wines from the vintage // Delivering perfect balance, mouthwatering acidity, and rounded tannins"
- 24 bottles left - $39.97 btl
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Dear friends,
This email highlights three Oregon Pinot Noir shining stars of the outstanding 2021 vintage.
The 2021 Vintage is a "Cinderalla Story" in Oregon! From Wine Business:
Outstanding 2021 Oregon Harvest Foreshadows Quality Vintage
"2020 was a heartbreaking year for the Oregon wine industry. In the Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge, early September wildfires created dense clouds of smoke and ruined many wine grapes. A devastating fire ravaged several communities around Medford, even destroying one winery.
With memories of last year still fresh in people’s minds, the 2021 growing season was a tense one. “We were all just holding our breath all summer,” said Luisa Ponzi, director of winemaking and viticulture at Ponzi Vineyards.
But in the end, the year was everything growers and winemakers could have hoped for. “It’s the best harvest that I have in recent memory,” said Steven Thompson with Analemma Wines in the Columbia River Gorge. “It was extra special this year to be able to move through harvest in a normal fashion and be able to taste the beautiful flavors and not be inhibited on making great wines. I truly believe these are some of the best (wines) we’ve ever had the privilege to produce.”
He’s not alone in that statement. Everywhere you turn, professionals are predicting 2021 will be an outstanding vintage."
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 don't hesitate!
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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.
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Alcohol: 13.3%
- 24 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.
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Alcohol: 13.3%
- 24 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
- 48 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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This year, this glorious 'cuvee' is made of 60% Pisoni Vineyard, 23% Garys’ Vineyard, and 17% Soberanes Vineyard. Yes, it is mostly the fruit of the legendary Pisoni Estate, a wine we SOMETIMES get allocated a couple of BOTTLES only and retails for $150+. 13 bottles left!
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Get in touch!
Text → 650-880-3553
Call → 650-917-8080
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