2008 Vintage
2008 was a miraculous year, unlike any other in our 20 years of winemaking in Oregon. As a cool spring delayed bud break by at least 3 weeks, there was considerable angst among Willamette Valley winegrowers who were sure they would be harvesting in the heavy October rains. The "belly" of the summer delivered ample heat units to almost ripen the vintage by early October. Yet, we still worried about October rains and the ensuing rot…and the fruit wasn’t quite ripe. Miraculously, late October had gentle daytime temperatures in the high 70s and cold nighttime temperatures in the 30s. Our fruit ripened fully and deeply, but very slowly without developing high sugars.
Vineyards |
Availability |
Points |
Customer Comments | Cellar Calendar | |
Pinot Gris |
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SOLD OUT |
Wine & Spirits "This racy gris opens with scents of peach blossoms and green apple. The palate is driven by pear flavors, its juicy texture dusted by a chalky stone element. It has the energy to match smoked trout and fennel." - Patrick Comiskey California Grapevine "Medium-light yellow color; attractive, citrus and white peach aroma; medium-full body; fleshy, melon and stone fruit flavors with good depth and a slight hint of residual sugar that adds to its appeal, yet with a crisp finish; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended." |
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Pinot Noir |
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Estate Adalfo |
SOLD OUT |
Wine Advocate "The 2008 Pinot noir Adalfo's Block is from a winery-owned 4-acre parcel with a field of several blend clones. It displays a slightly brooding nose of cedar, underbrush, spice box, and black fruits. Structured on the palate with balancing acidity, it will evolve for 1-2 years and drink well through 2020." - Dr. Jay Miller Wine Spectator "Displays wonderful harmony and integrity to the dark berry, cherry, mineral and spice flavors, which come together against slightly gritty tannins on a long, vivid finish. Best from 2012 through 2018." |
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Harbinger |
SOLD OUT |
Wine Advocate "The 2008 Pinot noir Harbinger Vineyard is medium ruby with pleasant aromas of spice box, incense, cherry and raspberry. A bit lean on the palate, it still offers up ample savory flavors, a vibrant palate feel, and moderate length. Drink it over the next 6 years." - Dr. Jay Miller |
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Arbre Vert |
Order now |
92 WS Wine Advocate "The 2008 Pinot Noir Reserve is a blend of 5 vineyards. Dark ruby in color with a restrained nose of smoke, cinnamon, clove, and assorted black fruits, on the palate it remains tightly wound and in need of significant cellaring. However, it seems to have all the right stuff but is more of a gamble than most of the wines of this superb vintage." - Dr. Jay Miller Daily Wine Picks "Supple and appealing for the mineral notes that harmonize with the cherry and spice flavors, lingering nicely. Drink now through 2018. 1,060 cases made." - Harvey Steiman |
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Rose |
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Order now |
Wine Advocate "My favorite of the collection is the 2008 Pinot noir Shea Vineyard. It is medium ruby red with an exceptionally perfumed nose of cherry blossom, Asian spices, incense, smoke, black cherry and black raspberry. On the palate it sports outstanding volume and intensity of fruit, incipient complexity, a velvety texture, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Give it 3-4 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2013 to 2023." - Dr. Jay Miller Wine Spectator "Juicy and expressive, brimming with currant, blackberry, mineral and iron flavors. Rare meat notes add interest to the finish as it sails on nicely. Shows power and refinement. Best from 2012 through 2018." |
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Stony Mountain |
SOLD OUT |
Wine Advocate "The 2008 Pinot noir Stony Mountan was harvested on October 28, an unusually late date. It is the darkest in color in the lineup and features black cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors. Structured on the palate, it will require 4-5 years to reveal its full potential but the components are present for a graceful evolution to this burly Pinot." - Dr. Jay Miller Wine Spectator "Tight, juicy, dark and appealing for its floral-scented blackberry, dark plum and pepper flavors, which persist on the velvety, focused finish. Best from 2012 through 2018." |
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Bellevue Cross |
SOLD OUT |
Wine Advocate "There are 2500 cases of the 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, a blend of 7 vineyards. Medium ruby red with an inviting nose of cherry blossom, spice box, cranberry, and raspberry, on the palate it has ample savory fruit, some structure, and lively acidity. It is likely to evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now." - Dr. Jay Miller Wine Spectator "Elegant, refined and beautifully focused, its raspberry, cherry, peach and floral flavors aimed like a laser through a curtain of fine tannins. Dancing on the long finish. Drink now through 2018." |
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Yamhill Springs |
Wine Advocate "The 2008 Pinot noir Yamhill Springs Vineyard delivers smoky barrel notes, cinnamon, clove, rose petal, and black cherry. A bit rounder and riper than the preceding wines, it has ample spicy fruit, good balance, and a medium-long finish. It too will evolve for 1-2 years and drink well through 2020." - Dr. Jay Miller Wine Spectator "A tangy red, with bicuity edge to the berry and spice flavors, lingering on the slightly tart finish." |
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To Use the Chart
Click the wine names in the first column for tasting notes. Click the vineyard codes in the second column for information on the vineyards represented in each wine. If press ratings or customer comments are available, ROLL OVER these links for pop-ups containing text of the rating or comment, or CLICK these links to go to the press or customer comment archive for this vintage year.