James Melendez—who reviews wines as James The Wine Guy—has sampled thousands of wines over nearly two decades. A former national wine marketing manager for a food and wine retailer, Melendez is a big fan of small producers. He’s graciously reviewed many of our vintages over the past few years.
Lately he’s been filming short-format reviews for Instagram and YouTube. These video shorts introduce the producer and his thoughts on the wine’s color, nose, and palate profiles. Melendez also awards scores based on a 100-point scale.
He recently posted a clip reviewing the 2022 Candide Estate Reserve Pinot Noir and the 2022 Maestro Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, awarding each 94 points! Although both are from our estate vineyard, Dave composes each with a different blend of Pinot Noir clones to create two wines that are, as Melendez notes, “quite different and full of character.”
Additionally, Melendez threw in a very kind endorsement: “You can order these wines in states that receive wines from Oregon. You can also visit when you’re in Willamette Valley. This is a very nice producer—high quality wine, small, small producer. So enjoy this in the autumnal winter period of fine dinners but also enjoy them year round because these are really splendid wines.”
Here are his notes on each bottling:
2022 Maestro Estate Reserve Pinot Noir
“[2022 Maestro offers] an attractive bouquet of potpourri, black cherries, sandalwood violets, and freshly ground spices. Fresh and lively wine, well-integrated tannins, bright acidity showing black cherry, espresso, cracked pepper, a savory core, and a long, mineral-driven finish. This wine is 94 points out of 100 points.”
2022 Candide Estate Reserve Pinot Noir
“I love the clonal input of Wadenswïl, which I don’t see that often, except from Oregon and, of course, Europe. In addition to this Pinot is Pommard and 113, [2022 Candide] is aged for 12 months in 32 percent new French Oak. In the glass, this really opens up and optimizes this experience. So, red raspberry, wild blackberry, worn suede, cardamom, as well as autumnal forest floor and fresh red rose petals. Intense mouthwatering acidity, well-woven tannins, carrying an Amarena cherry character, as well as cracked pepper, a savory core, baking spices, and a graphite edge finish. This wine is 94 points out of 100.”
Watch the video, here:
https://youtu.be/Nz3i67CqRsU?si=fGmwLS5YRWuAJYzn
Have you sampled either of these wines? They’re not usually on the tasting flight, but Winemaker Dave has been known to include them as bonus pours! Schedule your tasting appointment—exclusively for one group at a time—by calling 503-537-1328.
