2020 Prelude – SOLD OUT
Estate Vineyard ∞ Chehalem Mountains AVA Rosé of Pinot Noir
109 cases produced. $28 | SOLD OUT
Sourced from the Bells Up vineyard, this fuller-bodied rosé is named for Franz Liszt’s “Symphonic Poem No. 3: Les Preludes.” Its equal parts heritage clone Pommard and Dijon clone 667 were soaked on skins for 24 hours, then pressed prior to fermentation. Post-ferment, the wine was transferred to neutral French oak for a malolactic ferment to smooth its acidity.
TECHNICAL NOTESNOSE: Strawberry jam, watermelon, tangerine, rose water, minerality.
PALATE: Strawberry, watermelon, orange rind, peaches, rhubarb, long finish.
Ellen Landis’ Review: This bright, electric-pink hued Rosé broadcasts a mouthwatering aroma. Cherries and red berries on the nose lead to a refreshing mouthful of crisp watermelon, Sweetheart cherries, fresh squeezed Valencia orange juice, strawberry roll-ups, and fresh red raspberries. The juicy fruit wraps around a lively core of acidity, keeping the wine balanced from start to sunny finish.
Owen Bargreen’s Review: Made from Pinot Noir grapes, this brightly colored Rose shows great acidity and texture with bright guava and red cherry flavors, with orange rind and peat moss undertones. The poise and astringency here is really nice. This seriously good stuff finishes long and might just be the best edition of this wine that I have tasted. Drink 2021-2025 – 91
Frederic Koeppel’s Review: Prelude spent four months in neutral French oak barrels, lending the wine unusual density and texture for a rose. A bright medium ruby-cerise hue; ripe and fleshy, fruity and floral; strawberries, raspberries and a hint of cranberry; dried thyme lending a savory note; lithe and supple on the palate, with clean acidity and a burgeoning element of limestone minerality; a touch of pink grapefruit in the finish. Excellent.
James the Wine Guy’s Review: I think this wine is fantastically beautiful. It is a mid Garnet darker stained glass cathedral, stained glass window colorization, and very definitively a pinot noir wine. Now, this is a fantastic wine, very appreciable on the nose and a very nice to enjoy with food or on its own. Very expressive nose here. And so notes on this are, it’s first of all, a very identifiable Rosé of pinot noir wine. So crushed red candy, field strawberry, hint of purple flowers. And next the palate characterization. So very rich expression of candied red fruit, red cherry, pomegranate, fennel, earth, as well as purple flowers. This wine is 92 points out of 100 points.
Winery Reflections’ Review: Plump red cherry, rose hips, tart strawberry. Wild raspberry, plucked pine needle, orange zest. Brilliantly expressive and electric pulses of crushed cranberry, pomegranate, and rhubarb radiate with outstanding freshness and vibrancy throughout a playfully primary and delightfully fruit-driven display. Notes of evergreen and fresh forest air gradually emerge to provide just a pinch of natural complexity offset by wafts of carnations and subtle floral lift. A slight hint of tilled loam compliments understated earthiness that does not detract from the irresistibly cheerful and crunchy fruit core. Gorgeously deep and contemplative on both the nose and the palate while simultaneously remaining thoroughly delicate and drinkable; exhibiting surprising power and concentration for a rosé without abandoning exciting energy and nuance. Medium in body with light tannin fleshed out by beautifully pronounced acidity.
