Our 2016 Roosevelt Pinot Noir has been honored with a fantastic 94+ point score in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“The pale to medium ruby-purple 2016 Pinot Noir Roosevelt has an open nose of warm black and red cherries and berries with touches of cinnamon stick, dried leaves, red licorice and floral perfume. Light to medium-bodied, silky textured and very concentrated, it fills the mouth with ripe black and red fruits and spice, with a firm frame of grainy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing with wonderful layers and a touch of salty licorice.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
We’re excited to announce our 2016 Mount Richmond Pinot Noir received a Gold medal in the 2018 Six Nations Wine Challenge!
Since 2003, Six Nations Wine Challenge invites prominent wine experts from each of the leading New World wine countries: USA, Canada, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The experts nominate their top 100 wines to be included in the competition. At a week-long convention in Sydney Australia, the judges blind taste hundreds of nominated wines.
“Because the wines are all selected by each of the judges the standard of wine quality must surely be higher than any competition of this size in the world” – Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
We’re excited to announce our 2017 Pinot Blanc was awarded Double Gold in the 2018 Six Nations Wine Challenge! It was not only the highest rated Pinot Blanc, but also a top wine of its class.
Since 2003, Six Nations Wine Challenge invites prominent wine experts from each of the leading New World wine countries: USA, Canada, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The experts nominate their top 100 wines to be included in the competition. At a week-long convention in Sydney Australia, the judges blind taste hundreds of nominated wines.
“Because the wines are all selected by each of the judges the standard of wine quality must surely be higher than any competition of this size in the world” – Bob Campbell, New Zealand Master of Wine
“The richest and most extracted of the three Elk Cove Pinots and a wine that delivers a full measure of concentrated, very insistent fruit, the winery’s Mount Richmond bottling is a weighty, well-structured offering that commends cellaring if it is to grow into its best. It admittedly impresses presently with its considerable depth, but it deserves to be set aside for several more years, and patience is certain to bring appreciable reward.”
This review posts in their November 2018 issue and at www.cgcw.com.
Welcome to the Harvest 2018 report! Each year we document the vintage with a photo gallery. Scroll down for notes on the progression of the most exciting season here in wine country.
The first pinot noir grapes came in this morning, it’s been a rainy first week of harvest which has allowed our Cellar Interns to ease into their jobs and learn some new skills. This year’s interns hail from New Zealand (3), Australia (1), France (1), California and from the Campbell family: this year we’re proud to welcome our first third generation at Elk Cove.
Our 2017 Pinot Gris received an excellent 90 point rating from Wine Enthusiast:
“Popular and widely available, this opens with a scent of guava, and follows with mixed fruit flavors of guava, apricot and bubblegum. It’s forward and palate-pleasing, leaving a light hint of mint at the finish.”- P.G.
This review was published in the October 2018 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
Our 2017 Pinot Blanc has been honored with a 90 point score by Anthony Dias Blue Reviews in The Tasting Panel magazine:
“Smooth and lush’ creamy and ripe with tangy, crisp acidity’ a lovely, well-made wine made from fruit hand-harvested from Elk Cove’s hillside vineyards.” –Anthony Dias Blue
In each issue of The Tasting Panel “Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias blue selects a wide range of the best wines and spirits from among the more than 500 he smaples over the course of a month. The reviews are subjective editorial evaluations, made without regard to advertising, and products are scored on a 100-point scale:
85-89: Very Good
90-94: Outstanding
95-100: Classic
This review posted in the August 2018 issue of the magazine and at www.bluelifestyle.com.
Our 1998 Roosevelt Pinot Noir has been honored with a 90 point score in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate after 20 years in bottle! This is a testament to the age-ability of our Pinot Noirs:
“The 1998 Pinot Noir Roosevelt (labeled as simply “Oregon”) is pale to medium garnet in color with aromas of salty black licorice, black cherries, savory sautéed mushroom, mossy bark and forest floor. Light to medium-bodied, it’s silky in the mouth, still showing some black fruits under savory/earthy layers, smoked meats, pepper and saline emerging toward the finish.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Five Mountain is pale to medium ruby-purple in color with violet aromas over a core of boysenberry jam and black cherries plus notions of tree bark, cardamom and wet leaves. Light to medium-bodied and blue fruited in the mouth, it has fine, grainy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long with spicy layers.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
Our 2016 Reserve Pinot Noir has received an excellent 92 point score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Reserve has a nose of dried cranberries and dried red cherries with floral perfume, dried leaves, licorice and warm earth. Light to medium-bodied, it has good concentration of red and black cherries and berries in the mouth with earth and spice layers, a firm frame of grainy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long and layered.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
Our 2016 Mount Richmond Pinot Noir has received an excellent 92+ point score in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Mount Richmond is pale to medium ruby-purple in color with a lovely open nose of black cherry preserves, blueberry compote and boysenberry with notions of floral perfume, tilled soil and dried leaves. Light to medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm black fruits and layers of baking spice and earth, with a good frame of fine-grained tannins and great freshness, finishing very long and spicy.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
Our 2016 La Bohème Pinot Noir has received an excellent 92 point score in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“The 2016 Pinot Noir la Bohème is pale to medium ruby-purple in color with a great open nose of warm black cherries and blackcurrant with touches of cardamom, cinnamon stick, dried leaves and forest floor. Light to medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm, spice-laced black fruits, framed with firm, fine-grained tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing long with earth and spicy accents.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
“Shows structure and finesse, with elegant cherry and tart blueberry flavors accented by dark tea and savory spice notes that build richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2024.” – T.F.
This review posts in the October 2018 issue of the magazine.
“Polished and sleekly built, with expressive dark berry, violet and spiced tea accents that build complexity toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2024. 1,012 cases made.” – T.F.
This review posts in the October 2018 issue of the magazine.
Our 2016 Five Mountain Pinot Noir received an excellent 92 points in Wine Enthusiast:
“There’s lovely styling evident in this young wine, which seems delicately sculpted and boasts mouth-filling flavors. Plum, blueberry and brown spices are in the mix, with polished tannins that ensure a smooth glide through the lingering finish.” –Paul Gregutt
This review posted in the December 2018 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
“Supple purple fruits show perfect ripeness while rounding off in a lovely and satisfying mid-palate. Barrel aging contributes a streak of espresso. Accents of black olive and clean earth are carefully moderated by smooth polished tannins.” –Paul Gregutt
This review posted in the December 2018 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
“Made from Pommard and Dijon clones of Pinot Noir, this is a snappy, lip-smacking wine, loaded with tangy raspberry and blueberry flavors. Highlights of cola, tea and subtle streaks of savory notes contribute to the overall length and complexity.” –Paul Gregutt
This review posted in the December 2018 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
“Supple and elegantly complex, with pretty raspberry and violet aromas and sleek cherry and orange peel flavors that glide on a long finish. Drink now through 2024.” – T.F.
This review posts in the October 2018 issue of the magazine.
As harvest begins, we are celebrating the changing of the seasons with a glass of sweet wine. In our cool climate, that means the “world’s most noble grape” otherwise known as Riesling!
We hear a lot of opinions sweet wines, the stereotype is that they’re most popular among people new to wine, but we know better: Riesling is for everyone! And it’s especially popular among wine-professionals. The key is in the balance. No one wants a wine to be cloyingly sweet. Crafting a Riesling is an art that begins in the vineyard with carefully monitoring the sweetness, acidity and pH of the grapes as they ripen. We harvest on exactly the right day for the style of wine we are creating, and Adam and Heather take it from there with gentle winemaking and a slow, cool fermentation.
Another key to enjoying Riesling? Knowing how sweet a wine is before you open the bottle. It’s disappointing to think you have a sweet wine to accompany a spicy meal only to find it dry. It’s equally sad to open a bottle you’re hoping to pair with a goat cheese salad only to find the sweetness overwhelms the dish. That’s why we’ve joined with winemakers worldwide and have adopted the International Riesling Foundation Scale. It’s a system for predicting the average perceived sweetness of a wine based not only on sugar content, which is notoriously misleading, but that also takes into account the acidity and pH of the wine. So next time you’re shopping for a Riesling, check out the back of the bottle and look for the IRF scale.
Here is how our wines stack up on the IRF scale:
For a limited time, we have a special on our “Sweet Three” wines check it out here. And below you’ll find more about Riesling:
MEET THE WORLD’S MOST NOBLE GRAPE
Dry, medium dry, medium sweet or sweet? Riesling comes in such a wide range of styles, it helps to have a guide!
The IRF Riesling Taste Profile
The International Riesling Foundation developed the Riesling Taste Profile, an easy-to-read indicator of where a wine fits on the dry-to-sweet scale.
Based on IRF guidelines for the interplay of sugar, acid and pH, winemakers calculate where to place the arrow on the profile for use on the back label to help consumers choose the Riesling that best matches their taste.
Why Do We Love Riesling?
Originating in Germany hundreds of years ago, Riesling today is grown in regions around the globe and is one of the world’s fastest growing varieties. It’s easy to see why. A favorite of chefs, sommeliers and wine professionals everywhere, it is aromatic, food-friendly and filled with personality. In all the world, no other wine so deftly reflects its soil and region.
Here are just a few reasons to love Riesling:
Versatile — Riesling comes in a mouthwatering array of flavor profiles. From dry to medium dry to medium sweet to sweet, Riesling offers a pleasing taste for every palate.
Food friendly — Riesling is the ultimate food-pairing wine, with options for every cuisine. Dry Rieslings are well suited to shellfish and classic preparations of fish, pork and poultry as well as cream sauces. Medium dry Rieslings are terrific with spicy Asian/fusion cuisine, smoked fish and salty cheeses. Medium sweet Rieslings pair beautifully with rich, spicy Indian dishes or dishes featuring fresh fruits. Sweet Rieslings are wonderful with salty blue cheeses, fruit desserts and foie gras.
Evocative — More than any other grape, Riesling takes on the character of the soil and climate where it is grown. Some will say it does so almost down to individual vines!
Easy sipping — Medium dry and medium sweet Rieslings have lower alcohol levels than other wines. When combined with well-balanced acidity, that makes them perfect for sipping in hot weather and for serving at parties in all seasons.
Fine aging — Many fine Rieslings will cellar beautifully and for much longer than other wines. They only grow more concentrated and complex with age.
Whether you are new to Riesling or already an affirmed fan of the noble grape, we encourage you to explore different Rieslings in different flavor profiles from a variety of regions around the globe. You will find options to keep you happily exploring for a lifetime!
Our 2016 Clay Court Pinot Noir has been honored with a 91 point score in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2016 Pinot Noir Clay Court has a nose of red and black cherry preserves with touches of spice, dried leaves and red licorice. Light to medium-bodied and silky textured, it fills the mouth with ripe black and red fruit preserves with lovely accents of potpourri and earth plus soft, fine-grained tannins and great juicy acidity, finishing long.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
Our 2016 Roosevelt Pinot Noir has been honored with a fantastic 94+ point score in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“The pale to medium ruby-purple 2016 Pinot Noir Roosevelt has an open nose of warm black and red cherries and berries with touches of cinnamon stick, dried leaves, red licorice and floral perfume. Light to medium-bodied, silky textured and very concentrated, it fills the mouth with ripe black and red fruits and spice, with a firm frame of grainy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing with wonderful layers and a touch of salty licorice.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
