Walter Scott 2017s: The Supernova Burns Brighter
We've written (for years now!) about Walter Scott being THE hottest Oregon winery. And somehow the supernova burns brighter with each release. Interstellar math it is not -- when the nicest people around make some of the best wines around, amazing things can happen. They've won so many hearts with their story and so many tastebuds with their wines. We've seen it all, but we've never seen an Oregon winery blossom in the way Walter Scott continues to.
We are thrilled to introduce you to Ken and Erica's first 2017 releases: La Combe Verte Pinot noir and Chardonnay, Cuvee Ruth, and Arlyn Vineyard Gamay. In case you haven't heard, 2017 is another fantastic vintage, classically Oregon.
Because of our early and vocal support for Walter Scott wines, we have a special opportunity for you to grab the wines before the rest of the world gets hold of them. Officially released September 4, we urge you to lock yours in now. You'll love drinking them!
Walter Scott La Combe Verte Pinot noir 2017
$25.15 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($27.95 regular)
A classic Willamette Valley Pinot noir in all the right ways, with a bounty of bright and dark fruits, orange-y goodness and Earl Grey tea. At once juicy and surprisingly powerful in its structure, here's your window into 2017 -- you're going to love the view. A blend of Justice, Sojourner, Freedom Hill, Clos des Oiseaux, and Prophet vineyards. - Marcus
$25.15 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($27.95 regular)
We have a shared vision of Willamette Valley Chardonnay with Walter Scott; we've all been early and vocal proponents of the grape's potential here. Their Chardonnays are the realization of that potential, and it all begins with La Combe Verte. Dynamically, even explosively aromatic, leading to bursts of mixed citrus and nectarines, which carry through on the most creamy textural feel of any La Combe Verte Chard to date, made all the more lovely by the pinch of Malden sea salt which pops on the finish. Now here's the drill: there's not much of this available, it's a fantastic deal in Oregon Chardonnay, and it represents the Walter Scott Chardonnay program with the following superb vineyards: Justice, Freedom Hill, X Novo, Clos des Oiseaux, Sojourner. Speak up, quickly and loudly, lest you lose out. - Marcus
$35.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($39.95 regular)
When the hypothetical becomes real, amazing wine happens. If you asked us (hypothetically) which 3 Eola-Amity Hills vineyards we'd most want to see in a blend, you'd hear Temperance Hill, Seven Springs, and Sojourner.Well looky here, folks: 2017 Cuvee Ruth is exactly that and it is REAL! The best showing of Cuvee Ruth yet (easily), opening with Seven Springs and Sojourner aromas of mixed floral notes and red/purple fruit perfume, then displaying a multi-spectrum deliciousness finishing with the distinct and lovely Temperance Hill savoriness. Do not wait for the respective single vineyard bottlings from Walter Scott -- grab this exceptional cuvee and begin loving it pronto. - Marcus
$25.15 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($27.95 regular)
You may know that we love Gamay and if not, we do! Ken and Erica's first foray into Gamay is spot on, capturing the crunchy-fresh qualities we crave. Think Cru Beaujolais (please) and you'll be on the right track.
When one of your favorite wineries adds a new arrow to their quiver, you let them speak for themselves: "We are huge fans of Gamay Noir as it is expressed in the great wines of Beaujolais. The varietal was planted in Oregon originally in the early 1980's and has been quietly making some stunning wines in the Willamette Valley ever since.
"We have been hunting for a great Gamay Noir vineyard to play with for years, tenaciously asking the great Gamay producers for a bit of fruit, asking growers to plant some for us... Nothing worked out until our friend Janis Pate shared with us that she had 1.3 acres available at her beautiful, biodynamically farmed Arlyn Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains.
"2017 is our first vintage working with this fruit. Having just a small amount of experience working with the varietal in the past, we looked to a handful of producers in Beaujolais that we admire as models for what we wanted to achieve. The goal is purity of fruit, freshness with minerality and subtle structure. Not just a simple fruity Gamay, but one with depth and muscle. To that end the grapes were fermented dry with 40% whole cluster and ambient yeasts then aged in neutral barrels for 10 months at which point it was bottled without fining or filtration.
"We are very happy with the finished wine, the nose hints at pepper, crushed berries and wet granite. On the pallet the wine is fresh and persistent with medium tannins and balanced acidity highlighting crunchy fruit that makes the wine immediately appealing. This is meant for now, but will hold well for years to come if you choose to hold it for a while." - Ken and Erica
We're looking forward to helping you with an order. Thanks for your support!
Marcus and Andy