2019 Titan
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
74 cases produced. $44
The 2019 release of Titan combines 6-year-old Pommard (29.4%) vines from Bells Up’s estate vineyard (volcanic Jory soil) for the first time with Dijon Clones 115 (37.2%) and 777 (33.4%) from Tonnelier Vineyard’s 19-year-old Yamhill-Carlton vines (marine sedimentary Willakenzie soil). Named for Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major “Titan,” the wine aged 12 months in French oak (36.8% new). The 2019 growing season saw more typical Willamette Valley weather. After some early heat, the summer brought lower average temperatures and wetter days that carried through harvest. The resulting 2019 Titan is gentle and elegant, with red-fruit flavors complemented by sufficient acidity to enrich its mouthfeel.
TECHNICAL NOTESNOSE: Cinnamon, raspberry, star anise, caramel, pepper clove, black tea leaf, currant, light floral, fresh herbs.
PALATE: Medium-long finish with medium tannins and balanced acid. Hints of cherry, plums, homemade cranberry sauce, rhubarb, orange zest, and bay leaf.
Winerabble’s Review: Mouthwatering with notes of earth, spice and red fruit, this wine was also spicy on its first day open. It’s not often I get to use aleppo pepper in my tasting notes! Prominent tannins mellowed with oxygen exposure. A full mouthfeel and long finish previewed what could be. If I can tempt you to leave half the bottle until day two, you’ll be rewarded with a peek into how this wine will age. Cat tongue tannins aligned, spicy notes dropped into the background and a wonderful elegance emerged. On the nose: cedar, red cherry, black pepper, black raspberry, baking spices, and blackberry. On the palate: cranberry, raspberry, rose hips, red cherry, Aleppo pepper, and cat tongue tannins!
Kathleen Willcox’s Review: Sourced from Yamhill-Carlton and Chehalem Mountain, this Pinot is balanced and bright, poised black fruits in a mineral frame, with notes of espresso and dark chocolate.
AdVINEtures’ Review: Just 74 cases of this Dijon and Pommard clone blend are made. Notes of rhubarb and cherry get support from the earthy notes. Medium tannin and medium acidity contribute to a round mouthfeel and early approachability. The medium body amplifies the elegance of this wine. Very Good+
Michael Apstein’s (Wine Review Online) Review: Bells Up’s mid-weight 2019 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, named “Titan” for Mahler’s Symphony #1, is a delight, combining bright cherry notes and balancing savory elements. Weighing in at a modest 13.2 percent stated alcohol, it is not overdone or over extracted. Rather, it dances on the palate, displaying the charm and elegance Pinot Noir can deliver. It seems to expand in the glass. Each sip reveals new nuances, so don’t rush it. For now, Specter buys grapes to supplement the enterprise’s own plantings, which explains why roughly two-thirds of the blend for Titan comes from Yamhill-Carlton AVA and remainder from their vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. – 93
James Melendez’ (James the Wine Guy) Review: It’s hauntingly beautiful and gorgeous. Crushed red candy notes, which I find haunting and beautiful, as well as violets, black cherries, freshly sanded wood, as well as suede notes. Excellent. Next, the palate characterization. Sublimely beautiful. This wine is giving notes of Bing cherry, mountain strawberry, hint of clove and savory undertones and finishing off with red flowers. 94 points out of 100.
