“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.
Our 2016 Goodrich Pinot Noir has been honored with a 92 point score in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2016 Goodrich Pinot Noir has a nose of cranberry sauce, warm raspberry and strawberry jam with accents of warm cinnamon, autumn leaves and herbs. Light to medium-bodied, it gives up warm red fruits and pepper accents with a good frame of firm, fine-grained tannins and lovely mouthwatering acidity, finishing long with warm fruit and spice layers.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
“The 2016 Pinot Noir is pale to medium ruby-purple in color with a bright, open nose of strawberry jam, boysenberry and blueberry preserves with touches of spice and earth. Light to medium-bodied, it gives good concentration of red and blue fruits in the mouth with juicy acidity and fine-grained tannins, finishing with touches of nutmeg and forest floor. This is a great value.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
Our 2017 Pinot Blanc has been honored with a 90 point score in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“The 2017 Pinot Blanc has an open, fresh nose of yellow apples, Bosc pears and white peaches with touches of wet pebbles and white flowers. Mediumbodied, it has great concentration of white stone fruits in the mouth with crisp, refreshing acidity, finishing long and minerally with a nice touch of phenolic texture.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
Our 2017 Pinot Gris has been honored with a 90 point score in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“The 2017 Pinot Gris has an open nose of Bosc pears, white peach and apricot with touches of spring blossoms and wet pebbles. Light to medium-bodied with good concentration of fresh fruits in the mouth, it offers crisp, refreshing acidity, finishing long with just a touch of phenolic texture.” –Erin Brooks
This review posted in 238 issue of magazine on August 31, 2018.
“Elk Cove is an Oregon trailblazer, responsible for pushing classically-styled Pinot Noir that has rivalled Burgundy for decades. Their ‘Mount Richmond’ bottling comes from a cool-climate terroir abundant in Willakenzie soils; it’s a deep and luxurious Grand Cru equivalent.”
When we give mention to classic producers, it’s not uncommon to see “pioneer” in the writeup. The word is tossed around quite a bit, but Elk Cove Vineyards matches the definition precisely: They are truly a region-defining producer, having been one of the first 10 wineries in all of Oregon (there are currently 500+ in Willamette Valley) when the Campbell family settled here in the early 1970s.”
– IAN CAUBLE, MASTER SOMMELIER
These are just a few of the kind words Somm Select has for Elk Cove and our 2016 Mount Richmond Pinot Noir, featured in July, 2018 by the prestigious wine blog. You can read the whole review and sign up for Somm Select’s fantastic daily wine offerings at sommselect.com.
SommSelect presents daily offers of world-class wines at all price points, curated by an expert team led by Master Sommelier Ian Cauble. We draw on extensive restaurant wine-buying experience in making our selections, while supplementing our knowledge through regular travel to the world’s great wine regions. Each wine we offer comes with a detailed description of its history and crafting; expert tasting notes; serving suggestions.
We are not deep discounters or otherwise hunting for closeouts or ‘one-offs.’ Our team works closely with top vendors and winemakers, tasting constantly in search of the most memorable bottles across a wide range of styles—from bottles, you can pop and pour tonight to ‘collectibles’ destined for your cellar.
Our 2017 Pinot Blanc has received an excellent rating from Wine Enthusiast Magazine: 92 points & “Editor’s Choice!”
“This sophisticated effort is highlighted by bright, polished fruit flavors of apple, melon and white peach. It’s long and focused, fresh and immaculate, with no apparent new oak.” – Paul Gregutt
This review is in the October, 2018 issue of the 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 received a 92 point rating from Wine & Spirits Magazine:
“A brisk pinot blanc, this leads with tart lemon notes and a pronounced whiff of minerals, as if chalk dust were rising from the glass. There’s marvelous tension between the wine’s green apple crispness and rounded texture, reined in by fine acidity. Exciting stuff for something on the green side, like scallops with arugula pesto.” – Patrick J. Comiskey
This is the highest rating so far for our Pinot Blanc, an unusual varietal in the Pacific Northwest, but one that we’re really excited about. Learn more about Pinot Blanc here.
