Matello Hommage A&D Pinot noir 08

See all in-stock Oregon 2008 vintage Pinot noirs

Wine Advocate 90 Points!

Wine Advocate: The 2008 Pinot Noir Hommage A & D is more expressive with its bouquet of cedar, cherry blossom, exotic spices, and assorted red fruits that jumps from the glass. Densely packed fruit on the palate supported by ripe tannin and lively acidity lead to a lengthy, seamless finish. It has the structure to evolve for 2-3 years and will be at its best from 2012 to 2020. points!- Jay Miller

A&D is named for Amy Wesselman and David Autrey (Westrey), mentors to Matello owner and winemaker Marcus Goodfellow. Like Westrey's Pinot noirs, Matello's Hommage favors grace, elegance and structure. Licorice-tinted black cherry provides the base - flavors fan out in all directions, from floral to sweet to savory. Delicious, cellar-worthy Pinot. Highly recommended.

Previous vintage, 2006 notes: The Matello Hommage Pinot noir is a bright, juicy, ready to drink Pinot noir typical of the excellent 2006 vintage. Marcus's skills resulted in a wine that suits casual drinkers but offers complexity and nuance to the Pinotphile.

Indie”Producer with Hands-off Approach to Pinot

Matello is produced by one of the smallest wineries in Oregon, the Mad Wines Company, but still makes 4 Pinot Noir bottlings with a total production of around 500 cases. Proprietor and winemaker Marcus Goodfellow who has become a darling of the “indie” wine set in Portland, and is well-known in the food and beverage circles there.

Goodfellow has developed his winemaking skill through working closely with Amy Wesserman and David Autrey of Westery Winery. Matello sources fruit from several locations in the Willamette Valley, but in particular from one vineyard, Whistling Ridge in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, which lies directly above Beaux Freres Vineyards.

Marcus’ philosophy in winemaking is to let it be. That is a goal to allow the natural beauty of the fruit to be center stage and build up a perfectly balanced wine around it without manipulation. As such, Matello does not inoculate their fermentation with yeast, and they use little new oak for aging to add texture, without overwhelming the wines. This all makes for more interesting wines, even if it is a little more risky!