Crowley Wines Pinot noir Willamette Valley 2011

Review:

We've been tasting a ton of 2011 Oregon Pinots, and this is one of the best at any price (read: it beats many "reserve-level" wines). Dark cherry with orange-essence highlights, good depth and silkiness, and a nuanced savory finish accented by lively spiciness. It takes full advantage of the attractive sweetness its Dundee Hills core. - Marcus

This has Gehrts, La Colina, Tuckwilla and Johnson Vineyards. A mixture of Pommard, Wadenswil and Dijon clones. This blend has always just worked, this is never a fussy wine. This blend is made just like the higher end wines and includes most of the same component parts as the high end bottling's. All native fermented and aged in mostly neutral oak...full malolactic. This years' is also very 2011...a very high tone and refreshing style. I don't recall a vintage like this in recent memory, perhaps like 2002. Wines are wound tighter but with a dense core and seemingly full of flavor and energy. The color spectrum displays the acidity, bright red with slight blue hues wrapped in. The color is not especially dense but I like the range a lot. Dundee Hills prevails in the nose and mouth, which sweetens the aromatic profile while the Dijon clone from Yamhill Carlton (Johnson Vineyard) works to darken up the fruit just a bit and offer structure. The finish extends, also due to Dundee Hills Pommard and Wadenswil. Absolutely going to be great with food, mid 12's alcohol. - Tyson

Tyson Crowley's Willamette Valley Pinot noir is one of the Indie Oregon Winemaker gems we seek out and grab. His choice of vineyard sources, skilled winemaking, and attention to detail result in an a well made, thoughtfully blended wine. The fact that his Pinot reminds us of Cameron's (where he worked) helps too.

2010 Vintage

A rich and meaty nose, melding raspberry and cherry with underpinnings of coffee grounds and woodsiness. Cola spice and lush fruit carry the finish. An unusually great value.

2008 Vintage

Crowley Wines Pinot noir Willamette Valley 08 - Super scented, with exotic spices, violets, herbs, and cherries. While a bit tight at first pour, there's plenty of bright red and blue fruits that begin to expand and evolve, picking up more dark cherry and berry nuances along with flint, flowers, and tobacco. Wow - that's a lot of complexity!

This will evolve nicely in the cellar and with only 350 cases made, will be in it's prime long after it's sold out.

Sourced from these three vineyard sites: Gehrts, Johnson (a Lemelson Vineyard), and Tukwila.

2007 Vintage

Crowley Wines Pinot noir Willamette Valley 07 - Initial scents are dusky and woodsy, with cherry, licorice and cola spice. The flavors build gradually from fleshy cherry to a deep blueberry, dark raspberry into the finish. Complex weavings of vanilla cream soda and savory herbs add delicate length. Decant.

The nose has a blend of resin and leather aromatics with a mix of cinnamon and spice, reminiscent of holiday potpourri. Lavender and thyme also enter the picture. There is a grace note of burnt match which is fleeting as the wine opens up.

On the palate, I like the way it has both bright and dark fruit, mostly cherry and raspberry. The earthiness is very present with a dusty woodiness (not oak) underneath. There are again traces of herbs, thyme and rosemary. The acidity and tannin are balanced with the fruit, and the wine has substantial length on the back pallet. With classic pinot noir framework, the alcohol is very much in check, keeping the wine refreshing. - Tyson

The 2007 Pinot is from two vineyard sources, both of the Dundee Hills. It's a 225 case lot from 9 barrels. 5 barrels (56%) were from Gehrts Vineyard near Domain Drouhin, 4 barrels (44%) were from Tuckwilla Vineyard, a sweet little vineyard just below the Eyrie vineyards. The Gehrts fruit is a blend of Dijon clones and the Tuckwilla is older Pommard.


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Crowley Wines Pinot noir Willamette Valley 2011		You Might Also Like Crowley Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2011 $24.95 regular/ $22.45 Any 12 bottles or Build Case Westrey Oracle Vineyard Pinot noir 2010 $29.95 regular/ $26.95 Any 12 bottles or Build Case Evesham Wood Pinot noir "La Grive Bleue" 2011 $27.95 regular/ $25.16 Any 12 bottles or Build Case
Winery: Crowley Wines $23.95 Regular $21.55 in any 12 bottle order or Build a Case Qty.
Review: We've been tasting a ton of 2011 Oregon Pinots, and this is one of the best at any price (read: it beats many "reserve-level" wines). Dark cherry with orange-essence highlights, good depth and silkiness, and a nuanced savory finish accented by lively spiciness. It takes full advantage of the attractive sweetness its Dundee Hills core. - Marcus This has Gehrts, La Colina, Tuckwilla and Johnson Vineyards. A mixture of Pommard, Wadenswil and Dijon clones. This blend has always just worked, this is never a fussy wine. This blend is made just like the higher end wines and includes most of the same component parts as the high end bottling's. All native fermented and aged in mostly neutral oak...full malolactic. This years' is also very 2011...a very high tone and refreshing style. I don't recall a vintage like this in recent memory, perhaps like 2002. Wines are wound tighter but with a dense core and seemingly full of flavor and energy. The color spectrum displays the acidity, bright red with slight blue hues wrapped in. The color is not especially dense but I like the range a lot. Dundee Hills prevails in the nose and mouth, which sweetens the aromatic profile while the Dijon clone from Yamhill Carlton (Johnson Vineyard) works to darken up the fruit just a bit and offer structure. The finish extends, also due to Dundee Hills Pommard and Wadenswil. Absolutely going to be great with food, mid 12's alcohol. - Tyson Tyson Crowley's Willamette Valley Pinot noir is one of the Indie Oregon Winemaker gems we seek out and grab. His choice of vineyard sources, skilled winemaking, and attention to detail result in an a well made, thoughtfully blended wine. The fact that his Pinot reminds us of Cameron's (where he worked) helps too. 2010 Vintage A rich and meaty nose, melding raspberry and cherry with underpinnings of coffee grounds and woodsiness. Cola spice and lush fruit carry the finish. An unusually great value. 2008 Vintage Crowley Wines Pinot noir Willamette Valley 08 - Super scented, with exotic spices, violets, herbs, and cherries. While a bit tight at first pour, there's plenty of bright red and blue fruits that begin to expand and evolve, picking up more dark cherry and berry nuances along with flint, flowers, and tobacco. Wow - that's a lot of complexity! This will evolve nicely in the cellar and with only 350 cases made, will be in it's prime long after it's sold out. Sourced from these three vineyard sites: Gehrts, Johnson (a Lemelson Vineyard), and Tukwila. 2007 Vintage Crowley Wines Pinot noir Willamette Valley 07 - Initial scents are dusky and woodsy, with cherry, licorice and cola spice. The flavors build gradually from fleshy cherry to a deep blueberry, dark raspberry into the finish. Complex weavings of vanilla cream soda and savory herbs add delicate length. Decant. The nose has a blend of resin and leather aromatics with a mix of cinnamon and spice, reminiscent of holiday potpourri. Lavender and thyme also enter the picture. There is a grace note of burnt match which is fleeting as the wine opens up. On the palate, I like the way it has both bright and dark fruit, mostly cherry and raspberry. The earthiness is very present with a dusty woodiness (not oak) underneath. There are again traces of herbs, thyme and rosemary. The acidity and tannin are balanced with the fruit, and the wine has substantial length on the back pallet. With classic pinot noir framework, the alcohol is very much in check, keeping the wine refreshing. - Tyson The 2007 Pinot is from two vineyard sources, both of the Dundee Hills. It's a 225 case lot from 9 barrels. 5 barrels (56%) were from Gehrts Vineyard near Domain Drouhin, 4 barrels (44%) were from Tuckwilla Vineyard, a sweet little vineyard just below the Eyrie vineyards. The Gehrts fruit is a blend of Dijon clones and the Tuckwilla is older Pommard.