Skip to main content

Review: 2012 Lupine Vineyards Roses and Ribbons Pinot Noir, Lake Chelan AVA

photo
Yes, a Washington Pinot Noir.

We named it Roses and Ribbons in homage to the Bob Hunter- Grateful Dead's song, "It Must have Been the Roses."
- Robert Anderson

There is precious little Pinot Noir made in Washington. We lack the climate for this most delicate fruit. Naturally I was curious about how well it would show in this bottling.

Tasting Notes

This wine was timid and required patience, almost two hours, for it to open.

Color: Ruby.
Nose: Earthy raspberry, marmalade toast.
Palate: Medium body, bright, good grip on the tongue and inner lip, cinnamon, raspberry, orange on the dry, medium-short finish.

Day two: Bigger and drier, tannin more obvious and appreciated. Hint of strawberry on the nose and an herbal note, with blackberry fruit leather and black pepper on the tongue, a dry raspberry finish. This bad boy is just coming to speed. It's a young wine and should only improve in bottle. I'd hold for 3 months and start pulling corks over the next 3 years.

Thoughts: What a contrasty wine; on day one a modest and delicate Pinot Noir and an enjoyable accompaniment to dinner of Lamb Loin Chops. On day two it was big, dry, with dark fruit and grippy. For those who prefer delicacy over power, this wine will suit now. If you are looking to understand the potential for Washington Pinot Noir you won't be disappointed. Open and drink the second day for a much bigger wine.

An interesting wine and worth your attention. Please, decant first. Recommended + Great Value.

AVA: Lake Chelan
Closure: Natural Cork
ABV: 13.6%
13 months in neutral oak
Winemaker: Robert Anderson
Sample Provided by: Lupine Vineyards
SRP: $20

> Contact Robert@LupineVineyards.com to arrange delivery or shipping.
Follow Lupine Vineyards on Facebook!


photo
Neglected Pinot Noir.


Note from the winemaker: "Common thought is that these grapes would be sub-standard at best and probably un-useable. In some years that may still be true. The location, the wind, the minimal ground water source and what might just be the toughest Pinot in the West conspire to make this a remarkable source for a few barrels. Why? The owner is unable to invest any effort and may sell the land to a developer at any time, so spending thousands to redress years of inattention without some surety is a risky endeavor. The vineyard had zero positive attention. No spray, no water, no mowing, no roundup- nothing for more than 5 years. Without pruning we have had to hand pick clusters that were both ripe and free of problems."

Related Posts:
About the winemaker: “Robert Anderson is a biologist and winemaker... As Operations Manager at the Seattle Aquarium, his experience in pumps and pipes, process control and chemistry serve him well...” Lupine Vineyards was established in 2010. It is located north of Lake Chelan, Washington.

Cheers!
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Sho Chiku Bai, Unfiltered Sake

Last month in Seattle, I purchased a bottle of Nigori sake at Uwajimaya. Uwajimaya is one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been visiting Uwajimaya for almost 40 years. When I was much younger, I’d buy model ship and plane kits, Japanese comic books (manga) and I never left without at least one steaming Humbow in hand. Today I buy the manga for my son; while I still enjoy the tasty steamed Humbows, now I never leave without at least one bottle of Sake in hand. Uwajimaya has a terrific selection of imported sake. This most recent visit, I left with a bottle of Sho Chiku Bai Nigori sake. Nigori sake is generally the sweetest of all sakes, with a fruity nose and a mild flavor, making a great drink to complement spicy foods or as a dessert wine. Typical sake is usually filtered to remove grain solids left behind after the fermentation process; however Nigori sake remains unfiltered, resulting in a cloudier beverage. Before serving, the bottle must
Read more

A Special Oregon Pinot Noir with Eastern North Carolina Inspired Ribs #OTBN #winePW 10

Open That Bottle Night - A great excuse for a Wine Pairing Weekend.  February 28th was Open That Bottle Night - I selected a bottle of wine I helped blend using barrel samples of Pinot Noir from R. Stuart winery in McMinville, Oregon. I was saving this bottle for a special occasion and knew it was likely time to open and drink. I hoped it had improved. "Blending wine is no task for mere mortals."   - William Pollard Jr.  Our Wine Pairing Weekend group decided Open That Bottle Night would be an appropriate occasion to pair our selected bottle of wine with something special as well. After some consideration, I decided North Carolina ribs would likely pair well with my special bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir. For this post I'll review the wine first, then provide the recipe, and wrap up with the results of this wine + food pairing. *Note: What is Open That Bottle Night? Wife and Husband columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher invented Open That Bottle
Read more

Spirit Review: Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine White Lightnin' @OleSmoky

Today I have crossed the line from wine to spirits. At 100 proof the Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine is definitely turning up the volume (ABV 50%). "Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, and Tennessee white whiskey are terms used to describe high-proof distilled spirits, generally produced illicitly...The word "moonshine" is believed to derive from the term "moonrakers" used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e., by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey." Source Wikipedia My family is no stranger to Moonshine.  That is, my great-grandfather and grandfather were not strangers. Evidently the family occasionally produced their own spirits on their Oregon ranch. My grandfather told me about his younger brother getting into his dads stash with predictable results. Grandmother also told me stories about midnight runs and secretive deliveries d
Read more