2016 Bangsund Pinot Noir Reserve
Our Bangsund Reserve Pinot is truly something special. From the warm weather Bangsund Vineyard in The Dalles, a climate emulating the French Left Bank style of Pinot Noirs.
Alluring aromas of dark rose, moss and chocolate covered cherry lead into a bright and smooth palate featuring hints of plum, leather and dried cranberry. A touch of minerality lends an earthy and slightly effervescent quality to this stunning vintage.
The Bangsund Reserve Pinot Noir derives its excellence from several factors. First, the vines are over 40 years old and grown by the vineyard owner John Bangsund. To say that he knows his vineyard well is a gross understatement. We often pick the regular Bangsund Pinot Noir grapes just a little before full ripe in order to guard against the huge heat waves that can hit this site during harvest. In the instance of the Reserve however, there is one portion of the Pinot Noir Vineyard that is shaded for about 2 ½ hours a day relative to the rest of the vineyard thanks to some well-placed trees. We take advantage of the lower heat in the shade by picking that little section of Pinot Noir well after the rest because we don't have to worry about ripening running away from us. This offers fair testimony to the quality of Bangsund Vineyard in The Dalles, Oregon and the unique flavors of the wines of the Columbia Gorge region.
Silver Medal Winner! 2019 SIP McMinnville Food & Wine Classic
2016 Chardonnay McDuffee
The Chardonnay we produce from premium McDuffee Vineyard grapes exudes notes that resemble the fabled Montrachet Chardonnays of France yet are distinctly Columbia Gorge. Fermented and then aged in mellowed American and French Oak (barrels that have been used for other more oaky white wines for at least two years prior to us using them), our 2016 Chardonnay is bright and lively with tempting aromas of lemon custard and apricot. The palate is soft and smooth with a silky mouth-feel and a pleasantly light acidity. Our Chardonnay is not at all oaky nor is it an austere stainless steel style; rather, it represents a perfect balance for Chardonnay lovers from both sides of the spectrum. One of our favorite and simple pairings with this gorgeous wine is John’s Dungeness Crab Cakes with a Lemon Aioli Sauce, a custom recipe we provide with every purchase.[show_more more="Read More” less="Show Less”]Terry McDuffee’s Vineyard is located in the Mill Creek Valley just south of The Dalles, Oregon. A sleepy farm community home to numerous agricultural crops including cherries, wheat, apples, grapes and more. The vineyard was planted in 1983 with Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Mcduffee Vineyard is a beautiful site with limestone soil; similar to that of southern Cote du Beaune, so naturally, Chardonnay thrives here. [/show_more]
Pairs well with: seafood (mussels, clams, crab, lobster), Caesar salad, bisque