Oregon & Washington
Wine Specialists Since 1988
"One of the Ten Best Online Wine Shops"
- Food & Wine Magazine
Signup to Receive these Email Newsletters- ------------ Read this email online
Back-to-the-Basics Pinot noir
Avalon's Marcus Looze on trends in Oregon winemaking
Younger generations don't often like to follow their elders. They rebel, change the rules, bring upheaval. In wine terms, that can mean modern cellar techniques, more oak, a departure from traditional wines.
There's a new generation of Oregon winemakers who don't fit that mold. Their rebellion is rooted in tradition, their style more of an anti-style. They learned winemaking from a venerable list of Oregon craftsmen, not from a school. They've adopted a back-to-the-basics approach to Pinot noir - their 2007 wines are reminiscent of the early Pinots that put Oregon on the winemaking map. In two words: Old School.
The new generation of old school producers is Jason Lett (The Eyrie Vineyards), Tyson Crowley (Crowley Wines) and Jim Arterberry Maresh.
We hear all the time about winemakers who want to express the vineyards and express the vintage. This trio is less about making wine - they're not trying to move wine in a direction. Think of them as sushi preparers, where it's all about simplicity and how well the raw ingredients are presented. They ceded control to the grapes and have some of Oregon's most authentic Pinot noir to show for it.
See all Highest Rated Pinot noirs
New Generation, Old School
Six Pack Sampler
Eyrie, Crowley, Arterberry Maresh
$149.95 - save $19.75 from $169.70 retail
2 bottles - Crowley Wines Pinot noir Willamette Valley 07 $24.95
2 bottles - The Eyrie Vineyards Estate Pinot noir 07 $24.95
2 bottles - Arterberry Maresh Dundee Hills Pinot noir 07 $34.95
The Eyrie Vineyards
Estate Pinot noir 07
$24.95/$22.45
Simply mouthwatering. At first pour, there's a whiff of youth which quickly gives way to ethereal aromas of fresh red fruits, cedar and turned earth. The seamless cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavors glide into the finish with that uniquely-Pinot sweetness. White pepper, strawberry and cream, sweet herbs and truffles delicately resonate.
Jason Lett and his Daughters,
at right above
Longtime staff member/friend of Eyrie, Russ Margach, compares the young 2007 Eyrie Estate Pinot to the young mid-70's Eyrie Pinots that caused the world to take notice of Oregon.
For Jason Lett, the 2007 vintage "is why we make wine in Oregon. It was like panning for gold and raw ore was falling into the pan." Jason was thrilled with the tremendous ripeness and extract, without excessive alcohol.
Jason took over winegrowing at The Eyrie Vineyards with the 2005 vintage. The Eyrie Vineyards is Oregon's Pioneer winery; David Lett (aka "Papa Pinot") planted the first Pinot noir vines in the Willamette Valley). Jason carries on the Eyrie tradition and adds to it with his superb Black Cap Pinot noir and Chardonnay.
Read Jason Lett's take on the classic 2007 Vintage
Crowley Wines
Willamette Valley
Pinot noir 07
$24.95/$22.45
Initial scents are dusky and woodsy, with cherry, licorice and cola spice. The flavors build gradually from fleshy cherry to a deep blueberry, dark raspberry into the finish. Complex weavings of vanilla cream soda and savory herbs add delicate length. Decant.
For Tyson, making wine is a balancing act - it's getting out of the way of the grapes while still making solid wines, not leaving too much to chance. He sees a stylistic throwback to distinct wines that represent where and when they were grown, with a transparency that allows the winemaker's personality and style to show through. Tyson says, "We're making something from nature, so we have to come to grips with vintages."
Crowley Wines was founded by Tyson Crowley in 2007. Tyson trained "on the job" at Erath, Cameron, J.K. Carriere, and Brick House wineries in Oregon's North Willamette Valley. In three short weeks, Tyson will be going solo, which is to say he'll be leaving his "day job" at Cameron and focusing solely on his Crowley label. We have a special spot reserved for Tyson's wines - he's a drummer and a Rush fan. It takes one to know one.
at right above, Tyson Crowley
Arterberry Maresh
Dundee Hills
Pinot noir
07
$34.95/$31.46
Fantastic value in classic Oregon Pinot noir. Fresh cherries and pie cherry expand to raspberry and brighter blueberry, with shavings of fresh cinnamon stick.
Like the 07 Arterberry Maresh Maresh Vineyard Pinot noir, there's a sweet edge that has nothing to do with sugar, and everything to do with the essence of Pinot noir. Very silky, with a ribbon of dried thyme and Dundee Hills minerality. Beautiful, higher-toned fruit grows in complexity with air, and we recommend decanting or cellaring for 1-2 years.
The Dundee Hills 07 is made primarily from Maresh Vineyard, with with the youngest planted in 1992, and the oldest in 1970. Jim's one barrel of White Rose Vineyard went into the 2007 Dundee Hills.
Recent Avalon Wine Newsletters and Articles
8-7 What We're Drinking
Two Tre Bicchieri Barberas, Save on Six Pack Sampler
8-3 Andrew Will Cellar Closeout
Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, Two Blondes
Save $91 on Cellar Six Pack
7-29 Mark Ryan New Releases -
Wild Eyed Syrah, Crazy mary Mourvedre 2007's
7-24 Beaux Freres Weekend Sale
7-24 WA Reds Sale- Nicholas Cole, O'Shea, Fall Line
7-23 Westrey Wine - New Pinots Reviewed
7-20 720 Cellars Pinot noir, Pinot gris
Save 20% on
Special Six Packl
7-18 Oregon's Phenomenal 2008 Pinots- Casa Bruno
7-15 Owen Roe Abbot's Table 08
Be First to Know About Hard to get
New Oregon & Washington Wine Releases
We tweet new wine releases as we get them.
Follow us!
Shea Vineyard, August 2008
Avalon Wine -
Oregon and Washington
wine specialists since 1988.
"One of the ten best online wine shops"
Food & Wine Magazine
"Best source for northwest wine"
Wall Street Journal
"Best source for Oregon Pinot noir online"
Gourmet Magazine
We're available by phone at 541-752-7418
from 8 AM Pacific time until 6 PM Pacific time,
Monday through Friday, from 12 until 4PM
on Saturdays and we answer email on 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
cell
Wendy Brown
Shipping Manager
wendy@avalonwine.com
541-752-7418
Adrienne Marler
Customer Service Manager
store@avalonwine.com
541-752-7418
Jean Yates
President
& Web Manager
jean@avalonwine.com
541-424-8004 (direct line)
If you wouldn't mind, to ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, add avalon@avalonwine.com to your email program's "approved senders" or "whitelist" list today.