2007 Amalie's Cuvee

Phone: 1.88.CUVEE (28833)

Home
Amalie Robert Main Page
About Us
ARE Winery of the Year
ARE Seeks Representation
Amalie Robert Wines
Tasting Appointment
2011 Events & Updates
2011 Julian Calendar
2011 Spring Cellar Report
Order Wines
Join the A-List
Contact Us

Amalie Robert Estate, LLC

2007 Vintage Primer

2007 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. Our use of whole clusters in each fermentation provides a continuously evolving tasting experience.

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: The 2007 vintage was another example of cool climate viticulture. Our measure of this is degree days, or how much warmth the vines received. We registered below 1,900 degree days, the coolest year we have ever seen at Amalie Robert Estate.

The vines however, did not seem overly concerned. Bud break and bloom came as we have come to expect. Fruit set was not overloaded as we saw in 2006.

This vintage brought considerable disease pressure to the Willamette Valley. We were fortunate to have been on top of the challenges for the year and had little incidence of compromised fruit. This in turn allowed us to let our fruit hang through the rains of early October. Harvest was “fast and furious” during the middle 2 weeks of October, and the Syrah and Viognier were picked on November 7^th.

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.

Perfumed aromas of violets, crimson rose, sandalwood, cinnamon, tart cherry and freshly grated ginger enliven the palate. Lively and focused Maraschino cherry (with the stem) and raspberry cocoa are the initial layers of Pinot Noir fruit followed by rich cherry compote and a hint of underbrush. A persistent and evolving finish of integrated tannins, dried tea leaves and firm acidity allude to lithe bottle development. Or, more simply put, “Pretty Fruit, Nice Acid ®.” Unfined and unfiltered. 311 cases produced.

Food Pairings: Thick cut veal chop seasoned with Iberian hot Paprika, freshly grated ginger and herbs de Provence. We also enjoy roast quail wrapped in prosciutto under the broiler. Of course, duck and Chanterelle mushrooms are the preferred pairing, but you already know that.

2007 Amalie’s Cuvée Accolades

Wine & Spirits, February 2011

Wine & Spirits, April 2011 - Year's Best Pinot Noir article

This vivid red has an ethereal perfume suggesting spice notes of bergamot, violets and black tea. The flavors of wild strawberry contrast savory olive and bay laurel scents, the finish as complex as it is attractive. 93 points.

Northwest Palate, Sept/Oct 2010 – Highly Recommended, Stellar Selection

Pretty scents of strawberry and red cherry fruit have a sweet sense on the nose, with gentle backing notes of tea leaf. The light mouthfeel nevertheless carries potent flavors of sweet, ripe red cherries and lush strawberries, with subtle notes of dried herbs, star anise, and baking spice. Extremely fine tannins are barely noticeable, yet admirably contain the intense fruit essence of this wine. Great balance, excellent length, and powerful fruit combine to make this the ultimate salmon wine. For those who think 2007 in Oregon was a bad vintage-just taste this!

Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July/August 2010

Limpid red. Suave, complex scents of fresh red berries, potpourri, incense and licorice. Palate-staining strawberry and raspberry flavors are lifted by notes of orange peel and white pepper, with a deeper cherry pit quality emerging on the back. Suave and accessible right now, finishing with very good cut and length. 91points

Oregon Wine Awards, May 2010 – Double Gold

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, May/June 2009 – Recommended

Oregon Wine Awards, May 2009 – Gold

Wine & Spirits, April 2009 – 89 points

Executive Wine Seminars (Parker), March 2009 – 93 points

2005 Amalie’s Cuvée Accolades

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2007 - 89 (+?) points

2004 Amalie’s Cuvée Accolades

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2006 - 89 points