
2021 Rhapsody – SOLD OUT
Willamette Valley Pinot Blanc
114 cases produced. $38 SOLD OUT
Named for George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” we doubled production of this jazzy Pinot Blanc in 2021 by sourcing from both Plum Hill Vineyard and Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards, located at opposite ends of the Willamette Valley. Lithe and lively, Rhapsody fermented and aged for six months sur lie to produce a fuller-bodied wine. No malolactic fermentation allows crisp acidity, subtle minerality and spicy characteristics to take center stage.
TECHNICAL NOTESNOSE: Limestone, stonefruit, gooseberry, Key Lime, brioche, white lily.
PALATE: Fine-grain texture with a hint of creaminess, balanced acid, lingering finish. Hints of Bosc pear, Gravenstein apple, candied grapefruit, and minerality.
Owen Bargreen’s Review: Sourced from both the Plum Hill and Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards, this was aged on the lees for six months before bottling. The palate is soft and round with a terrific sense of mouthfeel and good veil of tension. Beeswax and green papaya flavors combine with salty undertones on the palate. Enjoy over the next few years while the good sense of freshness remains intact. Drink 2022-2026 – 90
AdVINEtures’ Review: Pale yellow with green hue. Citrus notes on the nose combine hints of white peach. The palate is medium+ in body with medium+ acidity. The texture of this wine creates good balance for the juicy acid profile. Flavours of green apple, melon and lemon come together in a refreshing style. No oak and no malo, this is surprisingly textured, given the elevage. Hints of mineral come through on the finish. Very Good+
Michael Apstein’s (Wine Review Online) Review: Returning to the Willamette, we find a delightfully refreshing, but serious 2021 Pinot Blanc called “Rhapsody,” for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Pinot Blanc can be disappointing because so many are vapid. Bells Up has avoided that pitfall with good weight, despite a 12.9 percent stated alcohol, riveting acidity, and a pleasing hint of bitterness in the finish. – 91
Paul Gregutt’s (PaulG On Wine) Review: Young and sassy, this crisp Pinot Blanc is sourced from two vineyards located at opposite (north and south) ends of the Willamette Valley. I like the mix of apple and pear fruit, the cut of the mid-palate, the hint of minerality and the overall balance. The finish persists long and crystal clear. Owner/winemaker Dave Specter is a retired French horn player who names his wines for favorite compositions (in this instance Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’).
James Melendez’ (James the Wine Guy) Review: The nose on this is moistened stones, autumnal white fruit of apples and pears, as well as a hint of white floral. Palate is very nicely dry, and yet full of character, Bosc pear notes, hint of spice and floral notation. 92 points out of 100.
Ellen Landis’ (Ellen on Wine) Review: This floral scented gem gets your motor running at first whiff. The entry leads off with creamy pears and citrus blossom, and the wine broadens as it hits mid-palate with juicy McIntosh apples, gentle spice, and blanched almonds melding in harmony. Lovely textural qualities and fine balance carry the wine to a spirited finale.
Dave Nershi’s (Vino-Sphere/Screw It Wine) Review: This wine immediately gained fan-favorite status with our group. I was expecting a more austere wine, but the Rhapsody (named for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue) delivered nectarine and lemon zest flavors in a jazzy way. The wine gets six months of sur lie aging for a fuller body without dampening the crispness.
Winery Reflections’ Review: Radiant beams of pure and electric fruit highlighted by freshly-squeezed lime, white peach, tart grapefruit, and Bartlett pear lead a bright and energetic attack that boasts nice tension to compliment surprising depth. Soft floral notes of baby’s-breath and jasmine gently bolster aromatics as hints of dry grass and peanut shell reveal lightly savory and leesy undertones. Impressions of chalky soil and fresh salinity delicately expose pleasant earthiness that settles into streaks of wonderful stony minerality. Impressively crisp and clean on the palate while remaining admirably layered and expressive; exhibiting a wonderfully refreshing yet still complex presentation that is currently delightfully youthful and fresh. Medium bodied and beaming with elevated acidity. This playful wine bursts with tons of energetic citrus, orchard, and stone fruits that remain simultaneously crisp and complex, and it complements them with pretty floral notes, compelling leesy character, and mineral earthiness. This is superb today and is likely best enjoyed in its youth, yet should continue to drink well for 3-5 years or more. Excellent.