Patton Valley Petillant Naturel Rose 2016
| Country: | United States |
| Regions: | Oregon Oregon (Willamette) |
| Grape Type: | Pinot Noir |
| Winery: | Patton Valley Vineyard |
Its beautiful salmon-pink color hints at the enjoyment that awaits you. Alluring aromatics spill out of the glass, with scents of fresh-cut ripe strawberry, candied rose petal, cotton candy and bubble gum harmonizing together and inviting deeper inspection. In the mouth, the first sensation is one of volume and a cacophony of lush ripe fruit flavors, followed by a zingy, green apple acidity and a slight mouth-watering frizzante, the trademark of Patton Valley Rosé. One glass is never enough.
Up front, this wine is all red fruit with candied cherry and strawberry, accompanied by sweet pipe tobacco, zesty lemon and hints of bramble, boysenberry and flowers. Lighter and prettier than the 2010 vintage, the 2011 Estate Pinot noir is elegant with more cherry, subtle black pepper and English breakfast tea. The palate is lightly textured with balanced acidity, soft, supple tannins and a lengthy finish. Drink now or cellar for up to 10 years.
A cold, lingering, winter gave a late start to the 2011 growing season, and left us praying for a low fruit-set and a warm summer. Mother-nature had other ideas. Fruit-set was virtually perfect with nearly every berry in the young clusters maturing, yielding much heavier cluster weights than normal. With rigorous and frequent green thinning, we brought our crop-loads to under half of what they were early in the season, pushing ripeness in this mild and cool growing season. In October, growers were blessed with a sunny, dry Indian summer, giving us longer hang-time, and a beautiful picking window. The last bit of fruit was picked on November 2nd, making 2011 the latest harvest in Patton Valley history.
Patton Valley Lorna Marie Pinot Noir 2011 is 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Each year since 2002 we have crafted a reserve wine intended to exemplify the best the vintage has to offer. Selected from a handful of barrels that are deemed to be the very finest in the cellar, we designate the wine “Lorna-Marie” in honor of the mothers of Monte and Sherie Pitt –two of the owners of Patton Valley Vineyard.
Our 2011 Lorna-Marie Pinot Noir appears to laugh at the cool, wet growing season that gave this wine its start. Unlike many of its 2011 counterparts, this barrel selection has the structure and fruit of a much warmer vintage. Leading with boysenberry, cigar-box, smoke, rose petals, and plum, the nose is as rich and concentrated as you would expect from this classic blend. The dark aromatics in the nose are overtaken by mouthwatering, bright flavors of Bing cherry and zesty lemon. The back of the palate is textured by bright acidity and soft tannins that push out the long and lingering finish. Drink now or cellar for 10-12 years.
The wine is, unsurprisingly, lively and brisk with fresh citrus, red fruit, and the snap of cool watermelon. Almost addictively compelling, a single sip is impossible. The wine pairing here is easy: anything and everything... or nothing but good times.
The crown cap holds in the fizz, and the wax finish helps us keep bottle variation to a minimum (looks cool, too).
This special bottling, done entirely by hand, should be opened and enjoyed cold, in one sitting, and with friends, as its charms are many but, alas, ephemeral.
We made a tiny little 66 cases of this special wine last year as a reckless, insouciant, and scientific experiment and, suffice to say, it was an unexpected hit. This year we’ve quadrupled our production so, you know, we hope you all like this one as much as the last. Our rosé is always a special thing to us, and when conjured up in this old, fun way, it takes on something altogether otherworldly.
Producing these wild, delicious, and unique wines always has inherent risks, but the payoff is well worth it. After halting primary fermentation, we brought the wine down to a very cool temperature and let it settle off of its primary lees. Adding 13g/l dosage of sugar and yeast to the wine in bottle provides the sparkle and lees-y feel as it gets turned into alcohol and CO2, and not disgorging makes it hazy, creating broader palate weight, pleasing textures, and balance throughout.
Vineyards: 100% Patton Valley Estate Vineyard, Gaston, OR
Harvest dates: August 29th-31st 2016
Dijon Clones: 113, 115, 667 and 777
pH: 3.30
The Patton Valley Vineyard Estate
Patton Valley Vineyard was founded in 1995 by Monte Pitt and Dave Chen, two former business school classmates. The estate is located in Washington County, just north of the town of Gaston. Jerry Murray joined the team as Cellar Master and Assistant Winemaker.
The Patton Valley Vineyard
Located in the northern reach of the Willamette Valley, the vineyard is sited on a hill with views of Patton Valley to the southwest and the Tualatin Valley to the east. This is a 72-acre parcel with the ideal combination of soil, exposure and elevation. The vineyard currently consists of 23 acres planted to a diverse selection of Pinot noir clones. Utilizing sustainable farming practices, coupled with intense hands-on viticulture and low-impact winemaking techniques, they produce wines that are true to the variety and to their particular site, striving for balanced wines with supple texture, richness and ripe fruit flavors.
Roland Champion Champagne Brut Rose Grand Cru NV is the blend of 20% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir. 70% of this clear juice being from the 2007 vintage, and the other 30% being from the 2006 vintage.
The color is obtained by adding 15% of red wine from Verneuil, aged at least 4 years, which gives this unique orange/salmon color.
Small red fruits (strawberry, raspberry, cherry), characteristic of Pinot Noir with some brioche, toasted aromas coming from the Pinot Meunier. Clear and vinous. Development of red fruit aromas (blackcurrant) on a spice backdrop (cinnamon) and a nice fresh cut apple, grapefruit flavor. A fresh, lively and delicate flavor. Ideal balance between Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.
dosage : 8 grams per liter
ageing : 3.5 years on laths
Even if it doesn't say on the label, 100% of the production is RD (Recently Disgorged)
Total Production for this Cuvée : between 150 cases and 330 cases (9 liter equivalent) per year
"Elegant and well-meshed, this blends delicate acidity with subtle notes of ripe cherry, strawberry and blackberry fruit accompanied by hints of walnut, bread dough and spice. Shows a lovely, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2017. 150 cases made. –AN"
- Wine Spectator (November 15th 2012), 91 pts
"A delicate, subtle Champagne, delivering aromatic notes of mulling spices and yeast that accent the flavors of kirsch, bread dough, candied lemon zest and rose petal. This is finely tuned, with lively acidity and a minerally finish. Drink now through 2021. 330 cases made. –AN"
- Wine Spectator (Web Only 2011), 91 pts
"Bright orange. Aromas of blood orange, dried rose, allspice and minerals, with a subtle note of anise. Juicy and precise, with very good depth to its spicy red berry and citrus pith flavors. Finishes smooth and long, with excellent clarity and lingering spiciness."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Josh Raynolds, December 2011), 91 pts
"This rosé exhibits a lovely salmon color with layered flavors of dried red fruit, grilled nuts, and yeast notes. A blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay from two vintages, it is rich and creamy on the palate, with layers of yeast and dried red berry fruit flavors and a long refined finish."
- International Wine Review (December 2011), 91 pts
"Champion is a small grower in Chouilly, in the Cotes des Blancs, an area known for fantastic chardonnay. This rosé — of which he makes only about 330 cases — includes 10 percent red wines (pinot noir, pinot meunier) to give it a pale, salmonlike color and a beguiling palate of cranberries, strawberries and currants. Wow. And yum."
- Washington Post (David McIntyre, Dec 20th 2011), ***
Vitanza Quadrimendo is made from 50% Sangiovese Grosso, and 50% Merlot
This wine is flavorful and complex with a good backbone of acid and tannin.
Deep red ruby color. Intense aromas with characteristic peppery notes. Dry, tannic and powerful but with a smooth body.
Total aging time was 12 months in French oak, and 12 months bottle refinement.
"Plenty of spice, chili and berry character with hints of cedar and dried mushrooms. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. A blend of sangiovese and merlot. Drink now or hold."
- Jamessuckling.com (August 2015), 92 pts
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What this vineyard captures, more so than any other Pinot Noir site that I have tasted, is both power and elegance. Bright and forceful Bing cherries and dark berries along with the slightest hue of roasted coffee bean on the nose. Immediate and broad textured tannins cover the palate as flavors of black raspberries, licorice and black tea leaves unravel. Oak-inspired overtones of crispy charred marshmellows and fall spice with balance acids elongate a finish that reverbs for hours.
What this vineyard captures, more so than any other Pinot Noir site that I have tasted, is both power and elegance. Bright and forceful Bing cherries and dark berries along with the slightest hue of roasted coffee bean on the nose. Immediate and broad textured tannins cover the palate as flavors of black raspberries, licorice and black tea leaves unravel. Oak-inspired overtones of crispy charred marshmellows and fall spice with balance acids elongate a finish that reverbs for hours.
The Soberanes Vineyard is the latest exciting joint venture between the Pisoni and Franscioni Families. The site features tightly spaced vines and is planted to 33 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah and sits on the Santa Lucia Highlands Bench adjacent to the Garys' Vineyard. The clonal material planted in the loamy, rocky soil is very diverse and features over a dozen of the most renowned heritage selections from California and Burgundy in pursuit of the finest wine quality.
Review:
The vineyard is famous for producing ripe, luscious Pinots stuffed with massive fruit. Many wineries have dipped into it over the years. Krutz’s rendition is dry, balanced and full-bodied, with relatively high alcohol framing raspberry, cherry, cola, red plum, exotic spice and sandalwood flavors. It should age well through 2020–2022.
- Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
Marcassin Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The 2013 Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard may be even better. Notes of caramelized citrus, hazelnut, apple blossom, lemon oil and orange marmalade are all present in this wine of dazzling aromatic and flavor dimension. It is full-bodied, again shows some wet pebbles (which I equate with minerality), vibrant acidity, and no real evidence of any oak. Much like the 2012, the finish goes on for 45+ seconds. This is another killer Chardonnay from Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer. -Wine Advocate 100 Points
What an extraordinary tasting this was at the Marcassin winery just north of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. Just when you think the duo of Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer can’t make greater wines, they bowl over the taster with an array of exquisite quality that really must be tasted to be believed. Marcassin was probably California’s greatest Chardonnay after the famous Chalone winery fell from the pinnacle and onto hard times in the 1980s (and it has yet to rebound). Moreover, Marcassin set the bar for great Pinot Noir as well. And while both their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have many competitors these days (from the likes of Harford Court, Mark Aubert, Kistler, Kongsgaard, DuMol, Thomas Brown, Peter Michael, Martinelli and Luc Morlet, to name a few), John Wetlaufer and Helen Turley remain the reigning geniuses of these two varietals in California. Certainly, their meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyard and in the winemaking and élevage account for the quality, but they were among the pioneers who saw the unlimited potential from the Sonoma Coast, now a relatively crowded neighborhood. This was a remarkable tasting that simply blew me away, and I have been following their wines since the first Marcassins were made in the early 1990s. By the way, any doubts about aging potential should be crushed immediately, as even in the most challenging vintages in California, Marcassin Chardonnays and Pinots have aged as well as, if not better than just about any grand cru white Burgundy. For example, 1995 and 1996 Chardonnays, particularly those from the Lorenzo Vineyard, are incredibly youthful and dynamic, and the Marcassin Estate Pinot Noir, even from vintages such as 1998, is simply amazing.
The three Chardonnays tasted include two perfect wines. Perhaps the closest comparison is not to anything made in California, but a Corton-Charlemagne in a top vintage from the famous Jean François Coche-Dury.
