95 Points - Vinous

Brilliant red. Incisive, intensely perfumed raspberry, blood orange, cherry cola, Moroccan spice and mineral scents show outstanding clarity. Delivers serious energy on the palate, which features sweet red and blue fruit, spicecake, cola and candied rose flavors that very slowly deepen through the back half. Closes extremely long and smooth, with reverberating spice and floral notes and harmonious tannins that add subtle grip. 30% whole clusters and 20% new French oak.

-- Josh Raynolds

Description: Our specialty is stumbling into fruit gold mines. So much so, that it has literally become the defining characteristic of the entire winery. We received a call in the summer of 2019 that the 1978 planting from Dick Erath’s original vineyard was available. Are you kidding? Located literally across the street from the eastern border of Ribbon Ridge this old (originally founded in 1968) and historical site still has serious old vine chops. This vineyard is part of the history of Oregon wine in a way that only a handful of vineyards ever have been. This section is cleaned up budwood sourced from Clos de Vougeot in Burgundy back when not only suitcase clones were a thing, but suitcases were! Erath Clone is now an officially recognized clone in the United States and is monikered, less appealingly, as FPS 117. This wine is as unique as the old vines that spawned it. It is a combination of blueberry, cherry, vanilla pod and some sneaky structure that holds those flavors in place. There is literally nothing quite like it in the cellar, as it should be. This is an older section of vineyard where not all the plants are producing so who knows how many bottlings of this we will be able to do? Still, a treasure to have in our cellar. Highly limited! Only 5 barrels were produced!   

Appellation: Chehalem Mountains 

Location: Dopp Rd.

Elevation: 375’                        

Soil Type: Willakenzie

Year Planted: 1978                

Clonal Material: 100% Erath Clone

Size: Vineyard 55 acres/2.47 acres

Vinification: One 2.5 ton open-top fermenter with 30% whole clusters.

Picking Date: September 26   

Tons/Acre: 0.85