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Phone: 1.88.CUVEE (28833)
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Phone: 1.88.CUVEE (28833)
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© 1999 - 2012 Amalie Robert Estate, LLC |
2008 Amalie's Cuvée Pinot Noir
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 2008 vintage is another example of “patience pays” in the vineyard. The growing season was an extended and cool vintage accumulating only 1,930 degree days, but with one of the best September ripening periods on record. September is the key month for developing flavors and aromatics in the berries.
Rainfall was typical with just a little shot of rain at the first of October. This is Mother Nature’s way of extending the growing season and to put her finishing touches on our vines. We began harvest on October 11th and concluded on October 30th with the Syrah and Viognier.
Tasting Notes: Amalie’s Cuvée showcases the elegance and finesse of our vineyard. We look for barrels that offer complexity, and intriguing nuances with layers of fruit and texture. This wine’s power is in its seductive enchantment.
Sultry red. The high toned aromas vacillate between freshly crushed ripe red raspberries and a newly opened tin of Darjeeling tea underscored by bittersweet baking chocolate. The palate provides a full frontal lobe experience witnessing the well endowed richness of the vintage in the corset like confines of tannin and acidity. The finish has length and presence without excess baggage, like the lingering memory of a first stolen kiss.
A seemingly higher IQ bottling of “The Cuvée”, it commands your attention and strives to enchant you with its charms. Unfined and unfiltered.
Suggested food pairings: Roast whole duck with Chanterelle or Morel mushrooms over candlelight for two. www.amalierobert.com/culinary_roast_duck.htm
2008 Amalie’s Cuvée Accolades
Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate, October 2011
The 2008 Pinot Noir Amalie's Cuvee offers greater depth and concentration. A captivating nose of wood smoke, allspice, brown sugar, violets, and assorted black fruits leads to a plush, moderately structured wine that will benefit from another 1-2 years of cellaring. This pleasurable effort will be at its best from 2012 to 2020. 91 points.
Wine & Spirits, October 2011
Earthy and savory, this has beguiling woodland scents along with rosehip tea and lemon peel. While the aromas are complex, the cherry jam and vanilla flavors feel broad. Cellar to serve with roast salmon. 91 points.
Oregon Wine Awards, May 2011 – Double Gold
2007 Amalie’s Cuvée Accolades
Wine & Spirits, February 2011
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
Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 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. 91 points.
Oregon Wine Awards, May 2010 – Double Gold
2006 Amalie’s Cuvée Accolades
Wine Advocate, October 2009 – 90 points Wine Enthusiast Magazine, October 2009 – 89 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2009 – 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
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Amalie’s
Cuvée