{"title":"September 17: Deep Dive on Oregon","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"purple-hands-winery-freedom-hill-vineyard-pinot-noir-willamette-valley-oregon-2022","title":"Purple Hands Winery, Freedom Hill Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Brand\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePurple Hands Vineyards celebrates site-specific Pinot noir and Chardonnay that unearth the Willamette Valley’s long evolutionary history. Using traditional winemaking techniques, they strive to produce wines that convey an honest expression of each of their vineyards—its grapevines and cultivation, soil and stone, sunshine and rain. All of their wines undergo native fermentation and remain unfined and unfiltered at bottling to preserve their natural, wild character. Achieving elegance in this pursuit is the passion and art of their craft. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past 40 years, Cody Wright’s family has created a legacy of quality in the Oregon wine industry. Their winemaking styles and techniques helped Oregon’s Willamette Valley become the premium Pinot noir producing region in the world. At Purple Hands, Cody continues to build on the standard of excellence initiated by the previous generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eCody Wright\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e100% Pinot Noir\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eWillamette Valley, Oregon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis wine offers notes of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003echanterelle mushrooms, black strawberry, creme fraiche, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecandied walnut, forest floor, ripe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eavocado, and black fresh fruit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA richer reflective ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard is a savory wine with notes of wet stones, graphite, pine, fresh black cherries, mixed berries, and tea leaf. It is very appealing on the palate early on. with refined tannins and a juicy feel. It’s very attractive now, and it’s not going to slow down any time soon. Drink 2024-2040.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - International Wine Report\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI loved the 2022 Freedom Hill Pinot Noir from Purple Hands made by Cody Wright which was brought up in 30% new French oak for 10 months. Unfolding with complex notes of incense, ripe strawberries, huckleberries, forest herbs, and shades of umami, it is medium to full-bodied with fine-grained and polished tannins and lush acidity. I loved the earthy characteristic you get on the back of the palate on the long-lasting finish. A little less than 600 cases were produced of this phenomenal wine. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAromas of fresh sour cherries and strawberries with hints of violets, crushed herbs and seashells. Crunchy and savory on the palate, with a medium body and wet stone and mineral character. Structured with refined yet firm tannins. Long finish. Drink or hold.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Decanter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeautiful aromas of crushed black stone, turned soils, cool violets and blue brambles. Freedom Hill is farmed by the Dusschee family, who planted the site in 1982. It has become one of the valley's most sought-after vineyards for top-tier Willamette Valley producers. The earthen umami richness of the aromatics compliments a cool depth on the palate. Purple fruited elements of wild mountain berries, black raspberry and rich exotic spices. It's a beauty.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrooding and deeply structured, offering blueberry and cherry flavors laced with black tea and savory spice notes as this builds toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBriary raspberry and wild strawberry aromas burst from the glass, followed by traces of violets and grilled portobello mushrooms. The wine's Bing cherry, lemon and white chocolate flavors fill the mouth. A combination of jangly acidity and rippling tannins suggests a long life for this wine. Drink now–2036.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2022 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard opens with tarry, meaty tones that give way to wild berry fruit, mushrooms, dried herbs and potpourri. The light-bodied palate is delicately styled with understated yet detailed flavors, silky tannins, juicy acidity and a long, spicy finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Monterey Bay","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50699606196529,"sku":null,"price":59.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Purple_Hands_Winery_Freedom_Hill_Vineyard_Pinot_Noir_Willamette_Valley_Oregon_2022.jpg?v=1739116885"},{"product_id":"holocene-apocrypha-pinot-noir-willamette-valley-oregon-2022","title":"Holocene, Apocrypha Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_3X25Q-8OlU?si=DIMwiNaUJmTOyClz\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Holocene Epoch began about 11,700 years ago, bringing a warm, stable climate after the last Ice Age. The stability allowed humans to start farming – and eventually, grow grapes and make wine. Our Mission is to craft terroir-driven wines that are delicious, fresh, complete, textural, age-worthy, and true reflections of place and time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe value the connections that wine has provided us along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are a small, family-owned wine brand with two generations at the helm. We source from dry-farmed vineyards using organic practices, and where sites possess a unique terroir. And while Holocene is focused on the varied soil types of the Willamette Valley, we also make wine in a few regions in France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHolocene is a brand that was created by wine masterminds Todd and Carrie Alexander in 2015. It is a small, family-owned brand with two generations of dedicated staff running the operations. Holocene’s wines are crafted using organic practices and the unique soil types that are in Willamette Valley. Their mission is to craft wines that are delicious, fresh, age-worthy, and are true reflections of the location and vintage. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTodd Alexander\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e100% Pinot Noir\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWillamette Valley, Oregon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e2022 Apocrypha\u003cspan\u003e Pinot Noir comes from rocky volcanic soils in the Chehalem Mountains AVA and is comprised of a blend of clones that include old Chalone, 113, 777 and 115. It’s the darkest and most brooding of the whole lineup but it is still light on its feet. The color is deep ruby with soaring, brambly aromatics that flirt with northern Rhône character and might make you think of Syrah for a moment, if not for the presence of red fruit, incense, mushroom and fresh cut flowers that scream Pinot. 63% whole cluster, the tannins give it a solid framework and will help give it a long life. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApocrypha features aromas and flavors of tart blackberries and boysenberries, along with bursts of orange zest, black tea and chai spices. The texture is silky and satisfying, with sinewy fine-grained tannins. Every sip provides righteous chills of acidity, like listening to a Pharoah Sanders sax riff on \"Got to Have Freedom.\" Enjoy now until 2039.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50711187783985,"sku":null,"price":78.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Holocene_Apocrypha_Pinot_Noir_Willamette_Valley_Oregon_2022_f8fd324f-b7f6-40b6-808b-b31f54203dda.jpg?v=1773082808"},{"product_id":"big-table-farm-the-wild-bee-chardonnay-willamette-valley-oregon-2022","title":"Big Table Farm, 'The Wild Bee,' Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBig Table Farm is the collaborative effort of Brian, Marcy, and Clare Carver. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn 1996 Brian worked his first harvest. Having studied fermentation science at Davis, he took to the process of wine-making easily and loved it. Brian lived and worked in Napa and Sonoma, for 10 years before He and Clare took the leap to come to Oregon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eBrian's time in Oregon has been informed by living and breathing not only wine-making but farming here in the Willamette Valley. This close relationship with his farm and our vineyards has been an important contribution to Brian’s ability to optimize each vintage. Brian is a relentless artist in his diligent pursuit of perfection, always striving to improve our wines each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eOur home and farm is 70 acres in Oregon, where we raise animals and produce seasonal vegetables. On our farm, you'll find free-range hens, pasture-raised pigs, goats and sheep, a team of draft horses, bee hives and grass-fed cows. We are building a managed intensive grazing system of farming that builds our soil, sequesters carbon, and moves us towards a healthy, sustainable and diverse farm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eBrian Marcy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eChardonnay\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eWillamette Valley, Oregon\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eYou are greeted with a collision of white flower and warm spice. This wine tempts me like a piece of left over apple pie on the counter in the morning. Freshly cut apples leads a smooth lead to a comforting warm curd and vanilla bean profile reminds me of a lemon Madeleine cookie. This wine finished with a beautiful lifted acid bringing you back for more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Decanter\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe buzzing of the wild bee is felt in the honeyed aromatics that jump from the glass. Notes of apricot flesh, sweet flower pollen, and dried white flowers announce a depth and complexity to this Chardonnay. The palate delivers rich pear flavours. Hints of almond skin and lemon verbena are buoyed by cardamom and white tea leaves. Delicious, intricacy is balanced against ample fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - International Wine Report\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis 2022 Wild Bee is a combination of all 7 vineyards that Big Table Farm works within the Willamette Valley. It is always one of my favorites, and at $36, it’s a steal. Bountiful aromas of white peach, freshly sliced apples, kiwi fruit, and toasted tree nuts spill from the glass. The herbal and zippy finish combine with a sturdy backbone acidity to complete the wine. About 490 cases were made. 2024-2030\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Owen Bargreen\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eA fantastic new release at a highly reasonable price, the 2022 Big Table Farm ‘The Wild Bee’ Chardonnay was sourced from a range of vineyards that span the Willamette Valley. The nose shows toasted hazelnut tones alongside bright pear, buttered sourdough bread and green melon accents. Fresh and lively, with good tension and weight, with a lengthy finish, this is classy Oregon Chardonnay that is a serious value. Drink 2024-2032.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Wine Enthusiast \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eApisoir, a word used to describe the terroir of honey, suggests The Wild Bee has been buzzing around carnations, tangerines and tart green melons. Those aromas and flavors are joined by traces of honey butter and cashews. The wine's elevated acidity and clean, brisk mouthfeel will revive the most jaded of palates.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Spectator\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis lovely white is fresh and supple, offering pear and lemon flavors, with a hint of spiced nuts on the lingering finish. Drink now.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2022 Chardonnay the Wild Bee is wildly vibrant with a mix of lemon zest and sweet mint complementing freshly sliced nectarine. This is full of energy with a burst of sour citrus and flinty minerals that cascades across the palate as ripe orchard fruits settle on the senses, all enlivened by a core of vibrant acidity. The 2022 cleans up remarkably well, crisp and refreshing, leaving a salty tinge that calls the taster back to the glass. -Eric Guido\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mosaic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51821822017841,"sku":null,"price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Big_Table_Farm_The_Wild_Bee_Chardonnay_Willamette_Valley_Oregon_2022.jpg?v=1757529032"}],"url":"https:\/\/merchantofwine.com\/collections\/september-17-deep-dive-on-oregon.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}