2021 Maestro
Estate Vineyard ∞ Chehalem Mountains AVA Reserve Pinot Noir
ONLY available to members of Fanfare Club. ONLY 77 cases produced. $56
This brand new estate Reserve Pinot Noir is named in honor of Maestro John Williams, whose beloved cinematic scores — featuring multiple French Horn themes — have moved audiences for seven decades. Maestro is composed to highlight the high-toned characteristics of Dijon clone 943, which is exceedingly rare in the Willamette Valley. The 2021 vintage has 50% 943 blended with 27.8% 667 and 22.2% 113, all grown in volcanic Jory soil. It displays bright red fruit aromas and flavors, with balanced structure and acidity.
TECHNICAL NOTESNOSE: Bright cherry, baking spices, black and white pepper blend, red plum.
PALATE: High-toned red fruits, black cherry, balanced acid with an extended, chewy finish.
Jeremy Young, International Wine Report: It showcases a glimmering ruby-purple core with a light pink rim in the glass. Playing well on the high side of the palate with those lovely flavors of cedary herbs, red cherries, strawberries, red plum skin, dusty country road, and black tea leaves. Tannins are plush and wonderfully integrated and I loved the herbal note on the back palate on the finish. Drink 2024-2032. 94 Points.
Michael Apstein, Apstein on Wine: The delicate, 13.3 percent stated alcohol, Maestro, named to honor John Williams, combines the pure, red fruit of the winery’s Titan bottling with a mild touch of minerals seen in the Candide offering. It displays the same purity and verve as the other Bells Up Pinot Noirs. Like Candide, it takes time to open to reveal its considerable charm, so you might want to decant this young wine. 91
Jeff and Melissa Lawson, Drink the Bottles: Beautiful, haunting, deep dark red color with soul-reaching aromas of black cherry, hibiscus, dried flower petals, and country gravel road in the spring. The flavors of elegant red fruits, nutmeg, cherry tobacco and cocoa powder challenged each other for dominance, all while dancing on the tongue. This wine did not jump out at you, but rather pulled you in slowly and methodically, similar to the Jurassic Park theme song by John Williams. This wine is named in honor of Williams and to us, it is an exquisite fit. This is one of those wines that instinctively makes you throw your hands to the side of your face and simply exclaim, “Wow!”. Drink this now or cellar it for 5+ years. 97/100
Cori Solomon, The Written Palette: The wine is composed of small berries and small clusters of Dijon clones 113, 667, and 943. I found a balanced wine with flavors of tart cherry and other berries.
