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Tasting Notes
The 2008 Les Collines
"Despite succulent aromas and flavors of ripeblackberry, plum, and black currant, the Les Collines
bottling is balanced and medium-bodied, making it a versatile accompaniment for food."
-Katherine Cole
From Oregon Live.com
Angel Vine 2008 Avery Vineyard Zinfandel
Columbia Valley, $20
Outstanding: This vineyard near Maryhill Museum is helping to gain fame for
this small Zin-focused winery in Carlton, Ore. Black currants, plums,
raspberry, red licorice, spiced apple and juniper berries send your mind
racing. Those currants and plums allow this to ride widely across the palate
like a Studebaker, showing remarkable balance of acidity, tannin and alcohol
for this variety. Grill a New York strip rubbed with Montreal seasoning and
serve it with this gold-medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine
Competition. (100 cases, 14.4% alc.)
Angel Vine 2008 Les Collines Vineyard Zinfandel
Walla Walla Valley, $22
Excellent: A legal threat prompted this tiny Oregon winery to change its
name from Three Angels, but its devotion to this Croatian variety is
unwavering. There's a brightness to the bouquet of boysenberry, strawberry,
cranberry and cassis, along with barrel notes of chocolate, sandalwood and
steamed milk. Boysenberries build on the palate, joined by more cassis,
chocolate and blood orange acidity that overrides the tannin structure. (420
cases, 14% alc.)
Angel Vine 2008 Stonetree Vineyard Zinfandel
Columbia Valley, $20
Outstanding: Ed Fus grows Pinot Noir in Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills, but his
primary passion and pursuit remains Zinfandel, and he's finding success in
various places. Here, it's Tedd Wildman's site on the Wahluke Slope that
helps make for mouthwatering piquant aromas of raspberry, cherry, cranberry,
peppered beef jerky, tar and anise. It's a razzy and very cherry drink with
zesty pomegranate acidity, pink peppercorn and chocolaty tannins to pare
with meaty lasagna. (75 cases, 15.2% alc.)
Angel Vine 2008 Zinfandel
Columbia Valley, $20
Excellent: Assembling fruit from four sources in Washington - Avery, Coyote
Canyon, Les Collines and Stonetree - makes for a solid chassis built with
parts of Primitivo (18%) and Petite Sirah (6%). Aromas of coffee, cedar and
green peppercorn accompany hints of raspberry and boysenberry from the
French and Hungarian barrels. Flavors turn more toward blueberry, blackberry
and black currents, backed by charry oak and ample tannin. (420 cases, 14.8%
alc.)
Angel Vine 2008 Primitivo
Columbia Valley, $20
Excellent: Part of the romance surrounding this Italian descendent of
Zinfandel is that it might have been poured at The Last Supper. Coyote
Canyon in the Horse Heaven Hills and Stonetree on the Wahluke Slope fruit
provide aromas of macerated cherries, milk chocolate, roasted coffee,
toffee, orange zest, Wheat Thins cracker, red peppercorn and homemade pizza
sauce. Plush is the palate with rich black cherries, boysenberry,
Raisinette, mace and blackberry, finished by coffee and an eye-popping sense
of Death By Chocolate. (210 cases, 15.2% alc.)
Early Impressions of the 2008 Vintage Zinfandel Wines
Les Collines vineyard Zinfandel: we doubled our purchase of fruit, same big Walla Walla red fruit & spice, but we reduced the use of new oak barrels and improved our control of the alcohol level.
Avery vineyard Zinfandel: fantastic red fruit flavors & spice, the best 4 barrels were selected.
StoneTree vineyard Zinfandel: exciting new vineyard source, dark, blackberry fruit profile, firmer structure, big flavors.
Columbia Valley Zinfandel: a blend of Zinfandel from the above 3 vineyards with a splash of Primitivo and a touch of Petite Sirah; Red and black raspberry flavors, spice, and a bit of tannic grip.
Columbia Valley Primitivo: sourced from 2 vineyards (Coyote Canyon and StoneTree): same bold flavors of fantastic dried cherry flavors, exotic spice, along with a bit more complexity due to multiple sources.
Review from the Vancouver Voice by Matthew Meador, Food & Drink critic, March 2009
"...the 2007 Three Angels Primitivo, Coyote Canyon Vineyard, is perhaps the least distinctive but a solid wine nonetheless. Of the three, the Primitivo is simplest. It is rawer, fruity and warm, a perfect peasant table wine. The Primitivo’s fruit notes are forward and blunt– this wine speaks directly and easily.
The second, 2007 Three Angels Zinfandel, Avery Vineyard, is arguably the most seductive. With airing, this Zin subtly opens like a spring bloom, exhibiting fruity and peppery notes grounded in medium earthy tannins. As the wine breathes, bare hints of tar and licorice emerge. The Avery will remind some of a sultrier Bordeaux. I melted in this wine’s warmth.
The third wine, 2007 Three Angels Zinfandel, Les Collines Vineyard, is a hearty classic Zin. Its coffee nose, notes of chocolate and hint of oakiness draw the taster in deliciously. Consistent from corkage to finish, the Les Collines is spicily peppery and offers a lingering very berry finish.
The 2007 Three Angels Zin family are special wines. Serve them with lamb, beef or pork and watch your guests’ reactions as they taste. I promise you that people will comment. And nobody will think “it’s kind of pink.” All are a bargain..."
Click Here for The Vancouver Voice Article
Review from the Cellar Door
Portland, OR wine retailer, March 2009
"The 2007 Avery Vineyard Zin offers a very poised nose with deep strawberry, cherry, pepper and other exotic spices. The purity of the vineyard takes hold as well. In the mouth it is generous, ripe, chock full of opulence and depth, but with plenty of elevated high notes which compliment this big wine and bring everything nicely into balance. The finish is warm and saturated with stunning length."
About the 2007 Les Colline Zin..."A smattering more oak, but not offensive or dominating. Big black cherry and plum tones along with an undercurrent of flowers, coriander and Thai spices. In the mouth it is lavish, rich and full, but baby-bottom smooth. Gains plenty of succulence on the long and fresh finish. This is a large-scaled Zin, but never overpowers or becomes ponderous."
and the 2007 Primitivo..."The first thing you'll notice when you smell the wine is its pronounced savory quality. Very full aromas of Morello cherry, smoky red earth, cracked pepper and herbs and baking spices. In the mouth, it is very individual with excellent ripeness. Supple upon entry, it gains more and more strength as it flows to the finish with depth, concentration and plenty of plum notes. Very saturated from start to long finish, especially revealing an earthy tanginess that is more associated with Southern Italy than Eastern Washington."
-Click Here For The Cellar Door Home Page!
Oregon Live
By: Katherine Cole
"2008 Angel Vine Les Collines Vineyard Zinfandel, Walla Walla Valley ($22): If you like to top your meat with a
sweet chutney, try a ripe, fruity zin the next time charcuterie is on the table. Angel Vine, a new Carlton-based
winery that sources fruit from Washington, bottles five different zinfandels (one goes by the Italian title
“primitivo”) and is exploring this grape to a degree previously unseen in the Northwest. Despite succulent aromas
and flavors of ripe blackberry, plum, and black currant, the Les Collines bottling is balanced and medium-bodied,
making it a versatile accompaniment for food"
Full article here! |
Angel Vine Carlton, OR 97111
Telephone: 503.969.7209 E-mail: zinman@angelvine.net
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