This Week’s Wine Tasting

American Wine: Oregon and California

 

Acrobat by King Estate– “Acrobat is wine born to introduce even more people to the power and grace of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Grown responsibly in the gorgeous hills and valleys of Western Oregon, these wines work wonderfully with food of all kinds and are equally satisfying on their own.”

Acrobat Pinot Gris 2013
Oregon. “The 2013 vintage was fermented in 100% stainless steel, temperature controlled tanks with native and cultured yeasts. The Acrobat Pinot Gris is aged sur lees for 2 months prior to bottling. This Pinot Gris was crafted to capture the hearts of new and old wine lovers alike with its simplicity and versatility. The 2013 vintage is a youthful wine with a delicate entrance that rounds on the mid-palate, refreshing acidity carries through the finish, take in the bright citrus notes complimented by green apple and a lingering minerality.”

$12.99

Acrobat Pinot Noir Rose 2013
Oregon. “After meticulous sorting, the Pinot Noir grapes for our 2013 Rosé were cold soaked for 72 hours before being saignée and pressed. The wine was fermented in 100% stainless steel, temperature controlled tanks with cultured yeasts. Aging took place over 2months in stainless steel.”

$13.99

Acrobat Pinot Noir 2012
Oregon. “Acrobat Pinot Noir achieves an all too rare goal in this day and age, delivering a high quality, Oregon Pinot Noir with a Suggested Retail Price under $20. The grapes come from our organic estate vineyards and other sustainably farmed vineyards throughout Western Oregon. With a beautiful deep garnet red appearance, the 2012 Acrobat Pinot Noir shows bright fruit aromas of strawberry and raspberry, cherry cola, and dark chocolate. On the palate, this light bodied Pinot Noir will stun with its bright fruit and deep earthy notes. Velvety tannins and a fresh acidity create a balanced wine that can be thoroughly enjoyed in the present.”

$16.99

 

Lange Estate Winery– “Lange Estate is known for crafting beautifully balanced wines from fruit grown on the winery Estate, located in the heart of the prestigious Dundee Hills appellation. To further supplement our case production, the Langes purchase additional fruit from the best vineyards in the surrounding area. Long-standing relationships with these blue-ribbon sites have helped the winery establish a well-deserved reputation for consistency and complexity in the wines.”

Lange Pinot Noir 2012
Willamette Valley, Oregon. Aged 10 months in French oak, 25% new. “Our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is an assemblage of all our North Willamette vineyard sites, delivering a true reflection of the finest viticultural practices and dedicated winemaking. In our true “classique” style, this wine is approachable and fruit-forward upon release. Notes of bramble and earth interplay with dark cherry, raspberry, and barrel spice. The bright-yet-soft palate is driven by cherry candy, apricot, cola, and hints of black licorice.”

$22.99

 

Au Bon Climat Winery– “The winery has cultivated an international reputation for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Jim Clendenen, the “Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, is recognized worldwide for his classically-styled wines (in addition to his Burgundian-focused ABC wines, Jim is also highly regarded for his Italian and other French varietals). In 1989 and 1990 Au Bon Climat was on Robert Parker’s short list of Best Wineries in the World, and in 1991 was selected by Oz Clark as one of fifty world-wide creators of Modern Classic Wines. Dan Berger of the Los Angeles Times named Clendenen the “Los Angeles Time Winemaker of the Year” in 1992; Food & Wine Magazine named him “Winemaker of the Year” in 2001. Germany’s leading wine magazine, Wein Gourmet, in 2004 named Clendenen “Winemaker of the World;” and in 2007, Jim was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America.””

Au Bon Climat Chardonnay 2012
Santa Barbara County, California. “Burgundian in sensibility but with California style is one way of describing Jim Clendenen’s Chardonnays- Structure and restraint melded with bountiful opulence is another. In the glass, buttery brioche marries with tropical fruits in an irresistible elixir that will leave the bottle drained before you know it. Try it with turbot for a match of delicacy and richness.”

$20.99

Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir 2012
Santa Barbara County, California. “This wine is just easy to drink. Whether with fresh grilled salmon or left-over roast chicken or just in a glass by itself, the pretty plum and spring strawberry flavors of ABC SB Pinot are simply delicious. There is nothing pretentious here, just well balanced, nicely textured, brightly fruity wine that seems to go with everything.”

$21.99