Southern California-based wine reviewers Nathan and Courtney Marton (who visited us pre-Covid) share their impressions of different vintages on their Winery Reflections website and social media accounts nearly every day. The pair recently documented their thoughts on the newest Bells Up estate “Brosé,” the 2021 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir (they’ve previously said very kind things about previous bottlings from 2018, 2019, and 2020). Always incredibly generous with their time and notes, we were excited to hear what they thought of our current release.
Here’s their review of the 2021 Prelude:
Courtney and Nathan Marton of Winery Reflections in the Bells Up estate vineyard.
A delightfully expressive and outgoing procession of plump red cherry, succulent strawberry, juicy pomegranate, and sweet red plum abounds within a bright and unquestionably delicious display that boasts surprising complexity alongside an endless rush of thirst-quenching refreshment. Notes of blooming rose, cherry blossom, and peonies proudly contribute pronounced bursts of aromatic floral perfume that waft amongst gentle organic tones of pine needle and fresh forest air.
Subtle hints of iron and salinity complete the presentation with a pinch of earthiness that fades into tasteful minerality. Immaculately fresh, pure, and juicy on the palate with impressive depth to complement its crisp, tart, and dry approach; exhibiting a fruit forward and wonderfully cheerful presentation that is nicely layered yet still unpretentious and perfectly crushable. Medium-plus bodied with lightly textured tannin backed by elevated acidity. This 2021 Estate “Prelude” Rosé of Pinot Noir by Bells Up Winery is a bold yet well balanced rosé from Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains.
Although recent rosé trends have tended to glorify pale-colored porch-pounders, there are a number of adventurous producers making more hearty and robust examples of rosé that are still incredibly refreshing and delicious. This bottling, crafted by Bells Up Winery using Pinot Noir sourced from their Willamette Valley estate vineyard, is an outstanding example of how deeply-colored rosé can possess equal to or greater character and charm than its lightly-colored counterparts.
This generously spills gobs of tart and lively red fruits surrounded by expressive floral tones, piney forest notes, and subtle earthiness. Although ready to drink immediately this style tends to hold up exceptionally well to bottle age, and we wouldn’t be surprised if this was still irresistible in 3-5 years or more. Yum.
