Beaux Frères, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2010
Vault Wine: This wine is stored in our vault.
Overview of the Wine
Beaux Frères is one of the earliest and now leading wineries in Oregon, founded by Michael G. Etzel, and brother-in-law (“Beaux Frères” in French) wine critic Robert M. Parker Jr in 1986. Located on an 88-acre farm, Beaux Frères resides on the most prestigious terroirs of Willamette Valley. Since their first vintage in 1991, the Beaux Frères philosophy remains the same; to produce a world-class Pinot Noir from small, well-balanced yields and ripe, healthy fruit that represent the essence of the vineyard. Beaux Frères has had biodynamic and organic practices since 2002.
In 2017, Maisons & Domaines Henriot embarked on a partnership with Michael Etzel acquiring Beaux Frères.
In the summer of 1986, my young family and I began on a journey that, in our wildest optimism, never thought Beaux Frères and our Oregon wine industry would be on the center stage with the fine wine industry. I believe our success is a lesson for anyone with a dream: follow your heart. – Michael G. Etzel, Founder and CEO
Grape / Blend
Pinot Noir
Origin
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Winemaker's Tasting Notes
It is a medium to full-bodied wine, supple and pure with sweet tannins. Dark ruby in color, with aromas of blue fruit and spice. On the palate the fruit shows plum, dark currants, sweet cherries and a dash of raspberry. Of the three cuvees this is the most forward and easiest to drink right now (in fact it is difficult to stop drinking). This cuvee should age well for 5-7 years.
94 Points - Vinous
Bright violet color. Explosively perfumed aromas of red and dark berry preserves, Asian spices and potpourri, with cola and vanilla accents building in the glass. Sappy, broad and appealingly sweet, offering lively, spicy dark berry flavors with nuances of soy and candied flowers. Shows plenty of upfront appeal and intense fruit, finishing smooth, spicy and very long.
93 Points - Wine Spectator
This Pinot is impressive for its clarity, transparency and focused blackberry, raspberry and sassafras flavors, hinting at floral and mineral notes as the finish lingers enticingly. Offers elegance and refinement without losing intensity. Drink now through 2020.
92 Points - John Gilman
The 2010 Beaux Frères Vineyard pinot noir is only very slightly riper than the 2011, coming in at an even thirteen percent, but here the wine has excellent mid-palate depth and plenty of backend stuffing to keep all of its components beautifully in balance. The first class nose is just starting to show some development in its aromatic blend of plums, cocoa, the first touches of forest floor, cola and spicy new wood. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and shows a very good core, with moderate tannins and very good length and grip on the promising finish. The wine has still not completely absorbed its wood tannins on the backend, but here, in contrast to the 2011, there seems to be plenty of buffering fruit to absorb the wood with a bit more bottle age and the wine should prove to be a classic vintage for this bottling. Drink between 2022-2050
Product size: 750ml
