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
Chavy-Chouet Bourgogne Blanc Les Saussots is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. A medium yellow straw color in the glass. On the nose, you will find layers aromas of cured lemon and hints of coconut and mango. On the palate, the juice has clean flavor, fresh acidity, and excellent balance. Vanilla notes follow through to the slightly creamy finish.
The grapes from this wines are grown from the Meursault area. (either outside of the AOC limit or with younger vines).
Seafood, fish, salad or by itself as an aperitif.
Drink this one now or over the next 3 to 4 years.
Luis Canas Rioja Crianza is made from 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha
A classic style Rioja from one of the regions most enduring family run wineries.. The hillside terraced vineyards are sheltered by the Sierra Cantabria Mountains to the north from harsh weather extremes. Small plot production is utilized in this region of infertile chalky clay soil to produce clusters of excellent quality. Almost 900 plots are needed to complete the approximately 400 hectares of estate-owned or cellar-controlled vineyards, some with vines more than 100 years in age.
Tasting notes
Made from 95% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha of 30 years of age, the wine shows a ruby red color, a clean nose with nuances of balsamic, plum and cedar. The palate is smooth and velvety, complex and structured, with fruit, spice flavors with toasted oak. A pleasant finish with red fruits and hints of eucalyptus.
The harvest
This year in Rioja Alavesa the weather has been especially cold, the summer short and dry, and there has been plenty of rain in early September. This has produced wines with great aromatic notes, particularly those coming from high altitude areas, very fragrant and with great structure.
Winemaking and aging
Upon entering the bodega and passing the selection table, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed before undergoing fermentation and then maceration in stainless steel tanks for a total of 8 days, obtaining better color extraction as well as much more complex wines, suitable for prolonged aging. The wine is clarified with vegetable gelatines and follows anicrobic filtration.
It is ideal to pair with meats; red meat, poultry, small game, oily fish, semi-cured cheeses, spicy dishes and hot dishes such as beans or potatoes Rioja style.
After its primary fermentation, the wine is placed in barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for a minimum of 12 months. It is then bottled for at least another 12 months.
Review:
"Juicy Bing cherries, peppery herbs, leather, and cedarwood notes all emerge from the 2021 Rioja Crianza, a medium-bodied, concentrated, round, layered red that has supple tannins, beautiful fruit, and a great finish. This classic Rioja has tons to love."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 91 pts