Brittan Vineyards

Finding the Gestalt of Oregon Pinot Noir

Avalon knows which Oregon wineries have a special presence greater than the sum of their parts - a gestalt. With his Brittan Vineyards Oregon Pinot noirs, Rober Brittan is creating a gestalt of experience and viewpoint, sun and soil, adding up to more than their parts.

Robert Brittan spent 16 years as Winemaker and Estate manager for Stags' Leap Winery in Napa. He is considered possibly the most knowledgable winemaker on Petit Sirah in the world. Robert created his famed Ne Cede Malis (Never give in to Misfortune) at Stags Leap.

We're betting that he'll create an Oregon Pinot noir with as much fame...

Brittan Vineyards Six Pack Sampler
$249.95
$19.75 off $269.70 Retail

2 - 2007 Gestalt Pinot noir $44.95
2 - 2006 Basalt Pinot noir $44.95
2 - 2007 Basalt Pinot noir $44.95

AVALON WINE TASTING NOTES

Brittan Vineyards Pinot noirs
Tasted by Marcus and Adrienne, 9-10-09

Brittan Vineyards
"Gestalt" Pinot noir 07
$44.95 or $40.46 by the case

(mixed cases OK)

Give in to the Dark Side! The Gestalt 07 shows its Darth Vader-like character with a commanding presence. Darker fruits than the Basalt Block wines and even more deeply spiced.

A melange of teas - green, black, a smidge of Earl Grey - plus black licorice and cream waft from the glass, leading into a silky-textured palate of black berry and black cherry highlighted by pomegranate, orange peel and savory herbs. Given the depth of the Gestalt, it's very vibrant.

One of the first things Adrienne wrote when she smelled this wine was "totally fantastic" and I wrote "totally mysterious and delicious." You could say we liked it...

Brittan Vineyards
"Basalt" Pinot noir 06
$44.95 or $40.46 by the case

(mixed cases OK)

Brittan Basalt Block 06 is powerful yet refined. The nose has notes of bright red cherries, dark berries, herbs, cinnamon and nutmeg.

When we took our first sip, we thought "Yum"...and then came more complexity in the form of spice box, creamy cherry pie filling and a long, sweet raspberry finish.

at right, Ellen Brittan

Brittan Vineyards
"Basalt" Pinot noir 07
$44.95 or $40.46 by the case

(mixed cases OK)

The 2007 Basalt Block Pinot is even more aromatic than the 06 and smells of cherry cordial, culinary herbs, raspberries on the vine and vanilla. The palate is bright and true to the nose with a dollop of red cherry thrown in. A sappy rosemary element plays with earth and mint in the finish.

New on the Avalon Wine Blog

for 9-29-09

Oregon Harvest Updates
Washington Wine - Fielding Hills
Oregon Wine Limerick Contest
Broadley Willamette Valley Pinot noir 08 Parker Review
Jim Maresh, Matt Kinne in October's Food & Wine Magazine
Owen Roe- The YAK is BACK
Oregon Harvest 2009 - Maresh, Evesham Vineyards Update
Explosive Northwest Wine!
Willamette Valley Harvest Sept 20th?
New York Times #1 Pinot - Le Cadeau Cote Est 07
More NYTimes Tope Oregon Pinots
Owen Roe's New Wines - Kilmore, Lady Rosa, Sinister Hand, Yakima
Oregon Originals - Eyrie Reserve Pinot noir 06
Best Views from the Vineyards
Every Winemaker Needs a Grabber
Remy Wines' Lagrein - One Acre of Pacific Northwest Italian Fascination

Recent Avalon Wine Newsletters and Articles

9-23 Fielding Hills
Steady as the Seasons

9-18 Limericks
$20 Oregon Pinot noirs
Broadley, Evesham, Dollar Bills Only, Westrey

9-16 Evesham Wood New Pinot noirs
Le Puit Sec, Willamette Valley

9-15 Arterberry Maresh, McKinlay
In October Food & Wine Magazine

9-9 The YAK is BACK
Owen Roe Yakima Red 07

9-6 New York Times
Top Oregon Pinot noirs
#1 - Le Cadeau Cote Est 07
Also, Soter, Penner-Ash, Beaux Freres

8-28 Owen Roe New Releases

8-25 Eyrie Pinot noir Reserve 06
Extended tasting notes and comments

We're available by phone at 541-752-7418
from 8 AM Pacific time until 6 PM Pacific time,
Monday through Friday, and we answer email
on Saturdays and Sundays

Marcus, Jean, Adrienne, and Wendy
541-752-7418

Avalon Wine
201 SW 2nd Street
Corvallis OR 97333
541-752-7418
www.avalonwine.com
store@avalonwine.com

Marcus Looze
VP Marketing & Sales
marcus@avalonwine.com
541-752-7418 store
541-231-0983

Wendy Brown
Bookkeeper
& Gourmet Sales
wendy@avalonwine.com
541-752-7418

Jean Yates
President
jean@avalonwine.com
541-424-8004 (direct line)

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