We’ve got a nice blend of three new release 2010’s, a stellar new 2009 and two very strong, classic 2008’s. 2010, as mentioned before, shows great promise. The wines are lower in alcohol than in recent memory while maintaining good balance and concentration from very long “hang time”. Hang time is the amount of time the grapes mature on the vine and in 2010, because of a very cool summer, the grapes hung extra long which enhances texture, length and concentration. 2010 had some of the longest hang time ever. The wines are not big, lush and forward. Out of the box they remind me of 2007, with maybe a bit more of everything. But like 2007, which has gone from panned to now considered one of the classics, the wines will need a bit of bottle age to flesh out. In the long run we’re in for a great vintage to buy and cellar. All of the 2010’s that we’re pouring are the “little” wines from the wineries offering them. The first releases, so to speak. All three are great values. I picked the three because they are all showing well right now and, like the 2010 Broadley, ready to go. The Cameron 2009 Arley’s from the Abbey Ridge Vineyard is awesome. It’s seamless from start to finish and, at just over 13 alcohol, has none of the heat in the finish that some 09’s have. Carabella continues to make solid wines in very small quantities. I’m a huge fan of their Pinot Gris and Chard and this estate Pinot Noir from the great 2008 vintage is sublime. I thought we had poured the 08 Beaux Freres “Beaux Freres Vineyard” before but after checking I see that we have not. If you’re a B F fan you simply have to have the 08 in your cellar. On February 1st this wine will become a “library release” and the price will go from $75 to $90! If you want the wine buy it in the next few days.
THE LINEUP
2010 Cummings Road, Yamhill- Carlton District $20
2010 Ayres, Ribbon Ridge- Eola Hills $21
2010 Patricia Green, Reserve $23
2008 Carabella, Estate/ Chehalem Mountains $37
2009 Cameron, Arley’s Leap/ Dundee Hills $39
PREMIUM POUR ($7)
2008 Beaux Freres, Beaux Freres Vineyard $75
That’s it for now. We’re headed for a terrific 2012 Pinot buying year considering all of the great 2010’s to be released. And the good news is that 2011 seems to be cut from the same mold. Let’s face it, lower alcohol Pinots with great flavor concentration is just about perfect!
Sandy
