Newsletter January 12, 2003

northwest wine save 10% on any 12 bottles!

Avalon Wine Newsletter January 15, 2003
2002 in Review! -Elvenglade Pinot Gris on Sale, Wines by Joe, New Releases
Newsletter archive

"Wines By Joe" Debuts!
Joe Dobbes Stretches
His Entrepreneurial Muscles

by Cole Danehower
Oregon Wine Report

On a cold winter morning, winemaker Joe Dobbes purposefully tramps around the muddy worksite of a new winery construction site, attentive to every detail, authoritatively asking questions of the construction manager. For a moment he stops and looks out over the incomplete concrete walls at the acres of naked vines planted neatly across rolling hills. He smiles. He is seeing a big part of his future...... continued

2002 in Review-
Our Take on the Best wines,
the People, the Events of the year

The Best of the 2002
NW Wine Industry
- By Christina Kelly-Avalon Editor/Writer

Avalon People Top Ten Lists
-The favs from Jean, Ann, Carl, and Teresa-
wines, wineries, events, people

Bob Woehler's
Outstanding Wines of 2002
-from Bob Woehler, Wine Press NW

Cole Danehower's
Top Ten Oregon Pinot Noir
from Cole Danehower, Oregon Wine Report

Ken Wright
2002 Pinot Noir
Futures
$35 (reduced price
from last year)

Read Tasting Notes

Here is our take on the Ken Wright 2002 single vineyard pinot noirs, our tasting notes from barrel on Dec 4, 2002, along with information from Ken and Dale about the vineyards, ageability, the 2002 vintage, and more.

We have reduced our price from last year, reflecting the tougher business climate and our need to keep going in a slow and competitive market. The wines are better than ever and our price reductions have nothing to do with the quality of the wines. As a matter of fact, we are more excited about the 2002 wines than we have been since 1994. These wines may even outdo the wonderful 99 vintage for longevity and quality.

READ MORE...

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Classified Ad

Chemeketa College
Seeks Enology Instructor

A Unique Opportunity! 200-day assignment as Enology instructor in Vineyard Management/Winemaking program at Chemeketa Community College. Minimum qualifications: Master's degree from an accredited institution preferably in enology, food science or a related field, and three years work experience in wine production and laboratory practices. Two years teaching experience preferred. Open until filled. Apply immediately. Contact Human Resources Department, PO Box 14007, Salem, Oregon, 97309; (503) 399-5009; EEO/AA.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

New Releases

Andrew Rich
Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 $29.99/$26.99
Highly recommended by Avalon

Andrew made only 150 cases of this wine. It is 100% Cabernet Suvignon, 2/3 Klipsun Vineyard fruit and 1/3 Alder Ridge fruit. This is a $40 Cab at a bargain price, Klipsun's fruit is some of the best in Washington, and Andrew comes through with his usual talented performance as winemaker. Ageable, big and masculine in style, yet with complexity and rich fruit flavors. Yumm!

More info and order here

Elvenglade
Pinot Gris 2001
SALE $13.99/$12.59
regular $16.99

Matt Kramer, Wine Spectator and Oregonian columnist, had this to say about the Elvenglade Pinot gris: "One of Oregon's most talented winemakers is a fellow named David O'Reilly. O'Reilly is the winemaker for Elvenglade..... review continued here

Solena Syrah Del Rio
Rogue Valley 2001
$29.99

Solena Zinfandel Woolridge Creek Applegate Valley 2000
$29.99

Two new releases from Solena, both made from Southern Oregon fruit, both wonderful examples of Laurent's use of terroir.

The Syrah is big, wild, gamey, and plush, with a rich and decadent flavor that is enhanced by the complexity of the terroir, which shows through the plush plum and black fruit notes. Drink now - 4 years out.

The Zinfandel shows what the warm Southern Oregon climate can do with Zinfandel, a grape that is hard to ripen in the WIllamette Valley. Perhaps it's the cold nights or is a peculiarity of the soils, but this wine displays a gamey, wild, briary, yet rich and hedonistic flavor profile. Laurent always lets the terroir show through, and this wine give interesting and unusual notes of clean earthy notes, rich vanilla and big wild blackberry flavors. Just a pleasure to drink, with an everchanging and long finish.

Abacela Tempranillo 2000
$23.99

We highly recommend this wine- it is Abacela's flagship wine, the one Earl started a winery to make, and it is incredible! It usually sells out within a few weeks.

This Tempranillo, a blend of three clones, shows classic varietal character. A rich bold spicy nose with licorice, leather and a slight earthiness, overlays ripe red fruits. Fine, ripe tannins enhance this medium bodied wines ability to match its plum and cherry flavors to many foods.

Enjoy now with steaks or lamb or Cajun and in a couple of years with lamb, veal, venison or mushroom accented dishes. Two to four years bottle aging should highlight the fruit and dried floral nuances of this wine.