International fine wine writer, critic, judge and curator L.M. Archer has published her notes on three of Bells Up’s releases from earlier this year: 2019 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc and 2019 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc (pictured above; photo courtesy of L.M. Archer), as well as the 2019 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir
Although all three of these wines are now sold out, we are seeing quite a few similarities in the 2020 vintages — currently in production. In her September 20, 2020 Hedonistic Taster site, she reviews several “Notable Oregon Wines,” including Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Rosé.
In the column, she writes:
Dave and Sara Specter founded micro-boutique Bells Up Winery on Chehalem Mountain in 2013. Former mid-western professionals, their winery name nods to Dave’s previous french-horn playing days.
Bells Up Winery’s estate vineyard also features the Willamette Valley’s first planting of cold-climate hybrid varietal Seyval blanc.
Here’s her thoughts about our two white wines and our “brosé”…
Bells Up Winery ‘Helios’ Estate Seyval Blanc – Chehalem Mountains AVA
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 12.9 %
Suggested Retail: $ 28 / 43 cases produced.
Robe: Clear lemon robe.
Nose: Yellow fruit, spiced golden apple, slightly foxy back note.
Palate: ‘Helios’ the wine honors the namesake musical poem by Carl Nielsen. Light body, pristine acids, lovely texture from six months of lees contact. Fennel, green apple, and lemon zest attack, golden apple mid-palate, savory finish. This sunny expression of an unheralded hybrid favors versatile food pairings.
Bells Up Winery ‘Rhapsody Pinot Blanc – Willamette Valley AVA
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 12.4 %
Suggested Retail: $ 28 / 51 cases produced.
Robe: Pale gold robe.
Nose: Pear and white floral aromas predominate.
Palate: Light body, bright acids. Sur lie aging imbues an interesting texture. Citrus attack, pear and white fruit mid-palate, Golden Delicious and white floral finish. A masterful rhapsody of flavors and aromas.
Bells Up Winery ‘Prelude’ Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir – Chehalem Mountains AVA
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 12.7 %
Suggested Retail: $ 22 / 99 cases produced.
Robe: Clear, red cherry colored hue.
Nose: Cherry and sous bois aromas.
Palate: Medium body, harmonious balance between acids and tannins. Like Liszt’s “Prelude,” this wine shape-shifts from attack to finish, hitting varying cherry notes throughout.
The 2020 editions of Helios, Rhapsody and Prelude will be officially released on April 1, 2021.
Due to extremely low yields in 2020, however, we will have fewer cases of each of these three wines than in previous years. If you would like to add any (or all) of these wines to your collection, please let us know as soon as possible by calling the winery at 503.537.1328 or emailing info@bellsupwinery.com.
