Argyle Winery was founded in 1987 by Rollin Soles as a ‘Grower First’ with the purpose of making world class Sparkling Wine in the perfectly suited true cool climate of Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
What began as an conviction to grow grapes for sparkling expanded to an ambition to build our legacy through the long lives of our wines that could challenge the very best Sparkling Wines, Riesling, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir from across the globe.
Continuing in the stylistic tradition to which Argyle has remained true for decades, Winemaker Nate Klostermann has been recognized for making graceful and complex sparkling wines, along with vibrant and impeccably balanced Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Rieslings.
The backbone of Argyle’s decades of consistent high quality has been squarely built by vineyards that we have farmed for decades in the Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills AVAs. The exactingly precise vineyard rows are the lines in the Argyle fingerprint, unique to us as a truly one-of-a-kind proposition.
Nate and the winemaking team work in extremely small lots to preserve the nuance and complexity of Argyle’s estate fruit. Nate’s focus on innovation includes doing more skin soaking to tease out the character and spice of Argyle’s Rieslings, and experimenting with small amounts of whole clusters to accentuate the depth and nuance of the winery’s Pinot Noirs. Additional areas of experimentation include harvesting at various ripeness levels to enhance the cool-climate energy and layered complexity of the wines, as well as fine-tuning the dosage program to create evermore dynamic and terroir-driven sparkling wines.
Perhaps the greatest area of innovation and experimentation at Argyle can be found in the winery’s renowned Extended Tirage program, which has set the standard for New World sparkling wine, earning the highest scores for any sparkling wines made outside of Champagne.
Argyle Reserve Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir thrives in Willamette Valley's long growing seasons with cool autumn breezes and sunny days. This culmination of extra time on the vine yields aromatics of crunchy dried leaves, pomegranate molasses, black tea leaves, and tart cherries. Earthy undertones and great textured tannins that continue to smooth out with time - adding to the body and longevity.
Review:
Rich and polished, this Pinot offers multilayered raspberry and blueberry flavors. Shows dusky spice and fresh forest floor accents while building structure toward refined tannins.
-Wine Spectator 93 Points
Familia Zuccardi 'Finca Piedra Infinita' Gravascal is made from 100 Malbec.
WINE DATA:
Grape Composition: 100% Malbec
Appellation: Finca Piedra Infinita, IG Paraje Altamira,Valle de Uco, Mendoze
Vinification: Manually selected grapes, filling of tanks by gravity. Fermentation with native yeasts in concrete vessels without epoxy. Aging in concrete vessels. The 2020 was a very particular vintage, characterized by limited yields and a high speed of maturity, which made it one of the fastest and most challenging on record.
In the search for the purest expression of the identity of Finca Piedra Infinita vineyard, we reached this small plot of 0.73 hectares. Located on its north-east side, it shows the typical facet of Paraje Altamira soil, with large gravels and granite stones covered with calcareous material at a depth of 50 cm.
Altitude: 3,609 feet above sea level
Soil Type: Short alluvial soil covered with calcareous materials
Alcohol: 14% Total Acidity: 5.6g/l
TASTING NOTES:
Color: Bright ruby color
Aroma: Dark berries, black olive tapenade, and iron
Flavor: Rich on the palate, with firm tanins
Jean-Claude et Nicolas Fayolle Hermitage Rouge Donnieres is made from 100% Syrah.
Made from 40-year-old vines planted on granitic and rocky soils in the Lieu dit "Les Donnieres" at the bottom of the Hermitage's hill.
Intense inky ruby red color.
The wine has plenty to offer with red and black fruit aromas, as well as a good minerality.
The finish is very long, clean and juicy and offers a great spicy mouthfeel.
Soil is clay, silica and round pebbles.
Hand harvested in small crates. The grapes are then pumped into tanks (full cluster, not destemmed).
It will stay in this tank for 15 days for the skin contact maceration and the Alcoholic fermentation.
Tey will also use the "rack and return" technique (delestage).
Then the wine is transfered into neutral French Oak barrels where the wine will complete the Malo-Lactic fermentation.
Delicious with grilled red meat such as venison or lamb and most cheeses.