2008 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Upper Terrace
Just released…Pricing of $81 a bottle versus winery price of $90. If you are interested in 6-packs or cases of this wine, please call or email for special pricing. This is always my favorite cuvee of the lineup.
Winery Tasting Note: Beaux Frères vineyard despite an essentially identical upbringing in the vineyard and the cellar. True to our expectations the Upper Terrace shows a striking difference in personality and demeanor from the Beaux Frères. The color is a healthy dark plum to ruby purple. It is very Côtes du Nuits-like with its blue-black fruit and the underlying forest floor and floral character. Drink through 2025”
Given the popularity of the 2008 vintage in Oregon and the reduced production, if you have particular interest in any wine or any of the following please contact GFW with any requests. Special pricing for 6-pack and case purchases.
travis@garrisonsfinewines.com
2008 Thomas (John Thomas) Pinot Noir
2008 Cameron Clos Electrique Rouge (Pinot Noir)
2008 Cameron Clos Electrique Blanc (Chardonnay)
2008 Cameron Pinot Noir Abbey Ridge
2008 Cameron Chardonnay Abbey Ridge
2008 Cameron Pinot Noir Gherts
2008 Cameron Pinot Noir Arley’s Leap (January 2011 release)
2008 Crowley Pinot Noir (any)
2008 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Cuvee J
2008 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Illahe Vineyard
2008 Eyrie Pinot Noir Estate
2008 Crowley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
I will save my commentary about the 2008 vintage in Oregon. I believe it is now common knowledge that 2008 will be talked about as historic, awesome, and vintage of the century. The later might be premature, but I think it is easy to see the direction the vintage is going.
Last year at my anniversary party one of the winemakers that was pouring was Tyson Crowley, introducing his current and new releases of Crowley wines. Even though his wines were well received, I think it would be fair to say that the most talked about wine at the party was a wine that had been sold out for months. This wine was his Chardonnay. Even as I write this I don’t know if I should spend the time to introduce a wine that is so limited. Both wines are outstanding and hopefully you will find them the same. For those who do not know Tyson Crowley, he started in the wine industry in 1995 and spent many years learning the trade from established wineries, most notably Cameron. This is his third release.
2008 Crowley Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
When I was talking to Tyson about his latest release of Pinot Noir the word that kept coming up to describe his Willamette Valley Pinot Noir was dynamic. If this is paving the way for the rest of his 2008 releases, you should become very excited and anxious to order. First, I have had this wine on two different occasions. Half a bottle from pulling the cork over about an hour, the second time was after the wine was open for about five hours. The majority is made up of 40% Johnson Vineyard, while the last 60% is split between Gherts (only Tyson and John from Cameron get this fruit) and Tukwila. No new oak was used in making this wine. Roughly 350 cases made.
Tasting Note: At first glance the wine shows cherries, a tight spiciness, and brief floral notes. Over time it showed Lavender (I am told from the Gherts Vineyard), a spicy orange rind quality and the cherry fruit develops into rich boysenberry, with a slight earthy/mushroom quality starting to emerge. On the nose you can sense the balance of the acidity that everyone loved from 2007, but there is a core of tannins that keep it together while not showing an overtly fruity profile. This is obvious when it first hits your mouth and the finish reinforces why the 2008s are so great. When I asked Tyson about the finish, he thinks that this is created by the Tukwila Vineyard and the 20 year old Pommard Clone making up 30% of the wine. A pure joy that is good now through 6-8 years.
Retail $24 Case $240
2008 Crowley Chardonnay Willamette Valley
This year there are 100 cases of Crowley Chardonnay. Though only his third release the wine will not last long. To meet demand, Tyson has had to allocate this wine to retailers and restaurants. It is a blend of two vineyards, Maresh (old vines in Dundee) and Walnut Ridge (outside of Salem). The wine aged 15 months in barrel, 25% being new (1 of the 4 barrels).
Tasting Note: This is best served between 55-62 degrees, to serve it refrigerator cold would do it a disservice. You will hear some people talk about this wine drawing comparisons to Puligny Montrachet and Meaursault, but all I will say is that this is a great example of high quality Oregon Chardonnay at a great price. The mineral notes jump from the glass while also showing lemon citrus notes and white flowers. The wine shows the full and lush side of Chardonnay, without oaky notes. There is an equilibrium of acidity and fullness that pulls together a golden green apple, lush mango and opulent ripe fruit characteristics; giving way to a mouth filling experience of balance and richness.
Retail $22 Case $220
Tasting notes were written while listening to Bob Dylan’s Hurricane.
2005 Eyrie Pinot Noir Reserve
Order now just released
Bottle Special $55 (Regular list $60)
6-pack $312 ($52 a bottle)
Case $600 ($50)
This obviously has to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year, even with the hype around the 2008 vintage. Eyrie reserve wines are known for being extremely long lived and the 2005 release will not disappoint. The wine was held back an additional year while we sold through the 2006 Reserve, integrating and improving for its long awaited release. This shows unreal depth giving way to raspberry with a touch of dried red fruit, light earthy notes (kind of cedar like), but vibrant in mouth (very good acidity, more than I remember when first having 2005s on release). It really seemed to be more finesse-like for a 2005 Pinot Noir than others did on release. Very pretty and a delight to drink. Have it now or revisit in 10 years.
$46 a bottle
Call or email for details and deals. Are you looking a for a case or 6-pack? Email or call for pricing.
2008 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Willamette valley Release
I suspect that the release of Beaux Freres Pinot Noir will not fly underneath the radar. One of the original cult Oregon wineries, this year they have tiered their releases. On March 15th the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir will be released.
From the Beaux Freres release letter “Our ‘Willamette Valley’ cuvée features fruit grown on select vineyard sites around the northern Willamette Valley. We work closely with the growers to ensure the highest standards of viticulture as well as very low crop yields. The 2008 Willamette Valley is comprised of wine made from the Shea, Zena Crown, and Amalie Robert vineyards. This wine benefits from the same philosophy and integrity in the winemaking process as our estate wines. It is aged in the same oak barrels; it is not manipulated or filtered. One key difference is that the percentage of new oak is intentionally lower than in our estate wines. In short this is the purest expression of the Willamette Valley and the vintage that Pinot Noir can reveal.
Tasting Note: Med-dark ruby. Raspberry and sassafras notes mingle with subtle sherry smoke and underbrush on the nose. This is a medium to full bodied wine with a very silky, savory, expansive mouthfeel and a round gentle finish. The tannins are silky and the wine is bright, refreshing yet intense, Thanks to its excellent balance this wine should drink well for 7-8 years yet be up-front and accessible immediately on release.”
This wine usually sells on release from $45-50. The idea of a pre-sell is to get a really good deal. It is hard to tell if this wine will be available for months or sell out in weeks like other Willamette Valley Pinot noir has already for the 2008 release. Now with the tag of the vintage being 95-100 points…There may be no time to hesitate. Email or call, wines arrive March 16th.
Regular Price $50
Single Bottles $45.00
Pre-Sell 6 pack (1/2 case) Inquire, cheapest you’ll find.
Pre-Sell 12 pack (full case) Inquire, actually cheaper than my 6-pack price.
Here at Garrison’s Fine Wines we have always been a fan of Marcus and his wines at Matello. From the 2008 vintage he has released two Pinot Noirs, one is the single vineyard Winter’s Hill Pinot Noir (96 cases) and the 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (<350 cases).
The first is 100% Pommard clone from the Winter’s Hill Vineyard that was planted in 1990. The wine was aged in barrel, 25% being new. The wine shows great acidity. Rich red fruit with silky sweetness that is in complete balance. I think this is only his second release of a single vineyard from Winter’s Hill, the last release being 2006.
His Willamette Valley is a true find in the less than $20 price point. His largest production wine of 336 cases coming from Whistling Ridge, Winter’s Hill, Cherry Hill, and Bishop Creek. The majority of the vineyards having 10-20 years of age. The sees only 20% new oak. Each year Marcus’ WV Pinot Noir is a great deal. Small production, great selection process, and experienced wine making = a great value everyday drinker. Though young and improves with some air, the wine gives way to integrated tannins and acidity to balance. The wine could show a darker berry profile than the Winter’s Hill or it could just be the slight earthiness this wines has at the moment.
If you by any chance you have purchased wines from me prior to January 16th 2010, I no longer have your email or contact information. The computer that stored your email, shipping addresses, and/or phone number was stolen. Please be advised that NO credit card information was stored on the computer. Please repond to my last email or send me an email at info@garrisonsfinewines.com so that I have your information to send you information the next time Thomas, Matello, Cameron, Cedric Bouchard, Vouette et Sorbee, Jerome Prevost, Cayuse, Beaux Freres, Evesham Wood, Betz, Quilceda Creek, is released.
Cameron Releases
Last Friday, I had a chance to try through the new Cameron releases. All four of these wines are an example of the greatness of the 2007 vintage. If it is the wild side of the Clos Electrique Rouge, the red balanced fruit of Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir, the fruitiness of the Abbey Ridge Chardonnay, or the perfect acidity of the Clos Electrique Blanc the wines are going to give you great pleasure now or 5-10 years from now. These are the wines Cameron strives to make and the 2007 vintage gave them the resources to make it happen.
2007 Cameron Clos Electrique Rouge
$48 or $42.80 in a case
2007 Cameron Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir
$48 or $42.80 in a case
2007 Cameron Clos Electrique Blanc
$48 or $42.80 in a case
2007 Cameron Abbey Ridge Chardonnay
$38 or $32.30 by the case
Sample Case Special until the end of November
Mixed case: 3 bottles of each new release
Regularly $546 Special $450 (just over 17% off)
Wines arrive September 10th
2007 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Le Puits Sec $33 or $330 a case ($27.50 a bottle)
2008 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $17.75 or $180 by the case ($15 a bottle)
