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2006 Amalie's Cuvée Pinot Noir

Amalie’s Cuvée is an exclusive barrel selection of Pinot Noir representing the unique qualities of our vineyard. Every block within our 30 acre vineyard is individually hand harvested at its peak of flavor maturity and intensity. Block by block, the fruit is fermented in small 1.5 ton lots and matured for over 12 months in French oak barrels.

Every vineyard block and clone/rootstock combination showcases something unique and special from the vineyard. After fermentation is complete, the wine is placed into a selection of barrels to mature. We source French oak barrels from several coopers. The wine takes a different path to maturity in each barrel, developing its own nuances.

We taste all of our barrels of wine many times throughout the year. We experience the evolution of flavors and aromas and remember the significant events in our vineyard. The excitement of an early bloom, the mystery of a very light fruit set, the discovery of color change at veraison and the rapture of harvest. Tasting each barrel of wine provides us a snapshot in time. We experience the wine’s development.

Again this year, we selected the barrels of wine that offered supple elegance and presence. After repeated trials, a very special and familiar blend began to emerge. From year to year, we strive to reveal the elegance and grace of Oregon Pinot Noir. Amalie’s Cuvée is this blend.

The Vintage: 2006 marks another warm and bountiful vintage for Amalie Robert Estate. The growing season was warm without excessive temperature spikes or drought. Degree days came in just under 2,200, rainfall from April through October was just under 6” and seemed to come just at the right time. Ernie manages the vineyard, but Mother Nature handles the irrigation program. These conditions provided for beautifully developed and very expressive fruit.

Tasting Notes: Amalie’s Cuvée showcases the elegance and finesse of our vineyard. We look for barrels that offer complexity, intriguing nuances with layers of fruit and texture. This wine’s power is in its seductive enchantment.

Ruby red in the glass leads to aromas of crushed wild raspberries, dried cherries and freshly tilled vineyard soil. On the palate candied Montmorency cherries overlay a sweet core of concentrated red currants laced with Five Spice. The finish is mouth coating tannins punctuated by vibrant acidity providing balance to the mid-palate richness.

Unfined and unfiltered. 255 cases produced. Pommard (45%), Wadenswil (28%) and Dijon Clones 113 & 667 (27%). 

Food Pairings: Tagine of lamb shoulder with coriander to complement the spice and mid-palate richness. Blue Cheeses such as Shropshire and Fourme d'Ambert.

2006 Amalie’s Cuvée Accolades

Jay Miller - Wine Advocate, October 2009

The 2006 Pinot Noir Amalie's Cuvee is a barrel selection aged for 12 months in French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits an aromatic array of cedar, black cherry, black raspberry, and violets. This is followed by a fleshy, ripe, balanced Pinot Noir that has enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now. 90 pts.

Paul Gregutt - Wine Enthusiast Magazine, October 2009

This is the third vintage for this estate-grown wine, made from Pommard, Wadenswil and Dijon clones. The mix seems just right, giving the wine some flesh and density, as it rolls across the tongue with red and blue fruits, spice and caramel. The alcohol is a hefty 15%, and it was bottled unfined and unfiltered. - P.G. (10/1/2009) - 89

Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2009

Vivid red. Intensely perfumed bouquet displays fresh raspberry, cherry, rose and magnolia scents, along with a suave, smoky mineral underpinning. The red fruit repeats in the mouth, picking up candied flowers and licorice with air. Impressively pure, with excellent finishing sweetness and persistence. As alluring as this wine is today, I'd give it another three or four years in the cellar. 92 points.

Northwest Palate Magazine, May/June 2009: Recommended

Oregon Wine Awards, May 2009: Gold

Wine & Spirits Magazine, April 2009: 89 points

Executive Wine Seminars, Sanely Priced Pinot Noir, March 25, 2009

93 rating
Medium-light color.  Open, attractive, sweet, clean, fresh, fragrant, refined, red berry fruit dominated bouquet.  Notes include cherry, raspberry, spice, minerals, and smoke.  Follows through nicely on the palate with elegance front and center.  This Pinot has wonderful acidity that effectively lifts the wine onto the dance floor.  It’s not a heavyweight, especially next to wine #14, but we are attracted to this Pinot because, like the proverbial porridge, it’s “just right.” This fairly sweet wine offers moderate tannins and perfect overall balance.  Long, persistent finish.  We like it!

2005 Amalie’s Cuvée Accolades

Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2007

Dark red. Brooding cherry and dark berry aromas are further deepened by suggestions of tobacco and dark chocolate. Dark cherry and cherry skin flavors are given a juicy quality by a tangy mineral note and supported by firm tannins. Finishes fresh and sweet, with the bitter cherry note repeating. This is pretty wound up right now and should benefit from a year or so of bottle age. 89 (+?) points.

2004 Amalie’s Cuvée Accolades

Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2006

Dark red. Raspberry and strawberry preserves on the nose, with hints of cola and dark chocolate. Sweet, plump cherry and blackberry on the palate, with good breadth and depth… A lush, weighty wine that picks up some exotic spice notes on the back end, finishing on a sweet, ripe note. (This was the first vintage under the label of this estate, which still sells half of its harvest to top local producers like Beaux Frères and Cristom.) 89 points.