The latest Bells Up wine review from Winery Reflections’ Nathan and Courtney Marton (who visited us pre-Covid) features 2021 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc, sourced from Plum Hill Vineyards in Gaston and Elkhorn Ridge Vineyard in Monmouth.
The duo of married power reviewers are based in Southern California, and are always tremendously gracious with their time and their praise, so we were excited to see what they thought of our latest Pinot Blanc (having favorably reviewed the 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages previously).
Here’s their review of the 2021 Rhapsody:
Courtney and Nathan Marton of Winery Reflections in the Bells Up estate vineyard.
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 2021 “Rhapsody” Pinot Blanc by Bells Up Winery is a unique and interesting white from Oregon.
Although largely overshadowed by its more widely-planted siblings, making it at best the third most popular grape in the Pinot family, Pinot Blanc is still an unquestionably high quality variety that has the potential to make truly delicious wine. This bottling, crafted by Bells Up Winery using Pinot Blanc sourced from two vineyards within the Willamette Valley, is an extremely compelling example of the merits of this often overlooked grape.
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.
