Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
OWEN ROE
Today, June 15 from 3:30-6:30 PM
Drop by and taste 4 flavorful offerings from a Northwest favorite poured by Owen Roe's Garrett Plocher
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
Always a wonderful Syrah, David O'Reilly and crew have really stepped up the quality of Ex Umbris. Way above a mere entry-level northwest Syrah, production actually decreased to obtain the maximum character and profundity of the material of both the grape and the vineyard site…Inspired by the name "Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem" (from shadows and symbols goes the truth), the new 2010 is essence of Syrah! Exciting plum-pepper scents combine with smoked bacon, violet and underlying herbs and exotic spices roll from the glass and follow through to a texture that while deep and penetrating, carries terrific balance and smoky tones throughout. Long and lasting on the finish…We can't say that about the supply, though! Given the accolades for the 2009 (93 pts. & #25 in the Top 100) and the low yields for rock-star character for 2010, this perennially popular Owen Roe offering will disappear quickly. Drink over the next 6-8 years.
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2009 OWEN ROE "ROSA MYSTICA"
CABERNET FRANC
$37.50 BTL./$450.00 CASE
From day one since starting Owen Roe, David O'Reilly has had a hell of a knack for sourcing and making some of the finest wines utilizing the Cabernet Franc grape. In fact, we feel he is one of the premier specialists with this grape, not only in the Northwest, but anywhere in the New World. Over-the-top raspberry and currant, chocolate-pie, nutmeg and cedar tones permeate from the glass and lead into a voluptuous, velvety-smooth, ripe texture. As always is the case, alluring fruit dominates in the mouth and higher tones arrive on the throat-coating finish. Impressively long and light on its feet for a large-scaled Cab Franc. Superbly structured and very ageworthy, this Fred Astaire meets Haloti Ngata Cabernet Franc can be consumed now and will improve and develop through 2019+.
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2010 OWEN ROE SINISTER HAND
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
The influence here is the southern Rhone, think Chateauneuf or Gigondas but done in a Northwest style. Continually striving to perfect this offering, Owen Roe really hit one out of the park with the 2010 version…although they didn't take any steroids to do it! A finely-crafted blend of 71% Grenache, 24% Syrah & 5% Mourvèdre there is plenty of power and depth here. Generous as usual and revealing a mélange of peppercorn and peppermint along with strokes of broad marionberry and red plum. The complexity of the blend brings out herbs and exotic spice, especially as the wine opens. In the mouth, it is savory, palate-staining, opulent and spicy. The core of fruit packs plenty of power and the finish is expansive yet very fresh. Another stellar effort from this Northwest luminary, this one should be consumed with carnivorous delights such as venison or a grilled rib-eye steak. Drink now through 2016.
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2011 OWEN ROE "CRAWFORD-BECK"
PINOT GRIS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
As many of our friends know, Bryan isn't the greatest supporter of Oregon Pinot Gris, however, when one comes along such as this, it is definitely going to promoted and have its story told. Crawford-Beck Vineyard is in the Eola Hills region and is primarily planted to Pinot Noir. Miniscule amounts of Pinot Gris are planted and Owen Roe receives a block at the top of the hill that is impeccably farmed and is cooled nicely by prevailing coastal winds running through the Van Duzer corridor.
A real treat to be tasting this today, primarily due to the tiny production that sells out way too quickly, the 2011 illuminates and shows just how much promise that this vintage has. A very Alsace-inspired Pinot Gris delivering lavish and ripe mandarin notes with bursting undertones of smoke and pear skin. In the mouth it is creamy textured with a pure finish that has a bits of spice and turned-up-to-11 electricity. Intense and most importantly, DRY, this is a wine that will reaffirm the classic Oregon Pinot Gris and salmon combination. Given its structure, it can also age well…don't be afraid to put a bottle or two down for 5 years.
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