A couple of days ago I got the opportunity, through Fine Wine Service -
www.finewineservice.se - to taste some bottles from Rose & Arrow, a estate located in Oregon, focusing on Pinot Noir, although they make a Chardonnay since 2020. A relatively new venture, their first vintage was 2016.
We got to taste the wines below and experience the difference between the 2021 and 2020 vintage and listen to winemaker Felipe Ramirez.
2021 Chardonnay
The Chardonnay grapes comes from Eola Amity Hills. The wine spends 17 months of its lees, of which 11 are in barrels. No battonage.
The nose is young, smoky and gorgeous, with notes of lemon cream, flint and yellow flowers. Very handsome.
The taste is high and seedy with lots of chrushed rocks, lovely lemon fruit, a pearcing acidity and a minute long finish. Great wine.
95p (tasted 2024/05)
2020 Chardonnay
The 2020, the first vintage of the Chardonnay, is denser and a tad warmer on the nose, with notes of lemon fudge, bonfire smoke and yellow apples. A very fine perfumed scent.
The taste is tight and chalky with notes of candied lemon peel, chrushed rocks and a touch of apricots. Very long.
93p (tasted 2024/05)
2011 Red Label Village
This is the first vintage of this blend from different plots in Williamette Valley. The nose is light and low keyed with notes of earth, smoke in a distance and red currants. Nice.
The taste is fresh and fine with cool, spicy red fruit, crisp tannins and medium long finish. Very good but, like some high end Burgundy producers Bourgogne Rouge, not worth the tariff.
89p (tasted 2024/05)
2021 Riverline Pinot Noir
A elegant, red fruited nose with notes of ripening raspberries, herbs, earth and dry licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is young and focused with notes of raspberries, iron and spices. Withdrawn. Long and fine.
91p (tasted 2024/05)
2020 Riverline Pinot Noir
The 2020 version of Riverline shows of a deep, meaty nose with notes of smoke, bay leaves, tobacco and raspberry licorice. Open and invating, but with lots more to display with some bottle age.
The taste is rich and focused with notes of spicy raspberries, Christmas spices and damp earth. Long and lingering.
93p (tasted 2024/05)
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| Photo from finewineservice |
2021 Hopewell Hills Pinot Noir
A finely tuned, refined nose with notes of ripe red currants, black tea and root vegetables. Very fine.
The taste is cool and restrained with notes of iron, red currants, assorted herbs and forest floor. Needs time, will evolve beautifully.
93p (tasted 2024/05)
2020 Hopewell Hills Pinot Noir
Ooh boy! The nose is decadent yet refined with gorgeous notes of ripe raspberries, tobacco, smoke and cooked root vegetables. Lovely.
The taste is more tight than the nose leads you to believe. Brilliant fruit, a solid structure, handsome tannins and a minute long finish.
95p (tasted 2024/05)
2021 Gathered Stones Pinot Noir
The two Gathered Stones are world class wines. The 2021 opens up with a refined, layered nose with notes of wild strawberries, fresh herbs, forest floor and incense. Stunning.
The taste is rich and multi layered with notes of raspberries, smoke, tobacco and spices. Goes on and on and on.
95p (tasted 2024/05)
2020 Gathered Stones Pinot Noir
Just breathtaking. The nose is to die for - deep, hedonistic and sensual with notes of perfectly ripe raspberries, licorice, a forest on a autumn walk after a light rain and incense, like the benches in an old church.
The taste is just brilliant with fruit, tannins and acidity in perfect harmony. This just needs another 6-10 years. Like drinking silk, but with an attitude.
97p (tasted 2024/05)
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