2007 The Reserve Pinot Noir

The Reserve is an exclusive selection of a single barrel of Pinot Noir representing the most intriguing wine in the cellar.
Every block within our 30 acre vineyard is individually hand harvested at its peak of flavor maturity and intensity. Block by block, the fruit is fermented in small 1.5 ton lots and matured for over 12 months in French oak barrels.
Every vineyard block and clone/rootstock combination showcases something unique and special from the vineyard. After fermentation is complete, the wine is placed into a selection of barrels to mature. We source French oak barrels from several coopers. The wine takes a different path to maturity in each barrel, developing its own nuances.
We taste all of our barrels of wine many times throughout the year. We experience the evolution of flavors and aromas and remember the significant events in our vineyard. The excitement of an early bloom, the mystery of a very light fruit set, the discovery of color change at veraison, and the rapture of harvest. Tasting each barrel of wine provides us a snapshot in time. We experience the wine’s development.
As we taste through the cellar, we make mental notes on each barrel. By the time we begin blending trials, we each have a pretty intimate idea of our favorite barrels. Dena will usually lay claim to a few barrels, and Ernie knows to leave those for last. Ernie includes these barrel samples as well as his favorites in the blending trials. This wine is a 25 case blend from our two favorite barrels.
The Vintage: The 2007 vintage was another example of cool climate viticulture. Our measure of this is degree days, or how much warmth the vines received. We registered below 1,900 degree days, the coolest year we have ever seen at Amalie Robert Estate.
The vines however, did not seem overly concerned. Bud break and bloom came as we have come to expect. Fruit set was not overloaded as we saw in 2006.
This vintage brought considerable disease pressure to the Willamette Valley. We were fortunate to have been on top of the challenges for the year and had little incidence of compromised fruit. This in turn allowed us to let our fruit hang through the rains of early October. Harvest was “fast and furious” during the middle 2 weeks of October, and the Syrah and Viognier were picked on November 7th.
Tasting Notes: Crushed fresh raspberries, cherry cola, mocha, cinnamon and Darjeeling tea define the aroma continuum. Montmorency cherry, Asian five spice, and rich red fruits are Lithe on the palate. Delineated acidity and firm grip provide a vibrant and extended finish. 25 cases produced.
Suggested Food pairings: Braised lamb shoulder with dried cherries and a spritz of Meyer lemon juice over curried/cumin couscous and chanterelle mushrooms. This also is a perfect foil for whole roast duck and commensurate with your favorite after dinner cheeses including Shropshire and Mobier.

2007 The Reserve Accolades

David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, October 2013
Rowan, heliotrope, hibiscus, and in fact an entire floral sachet emanate from the glass of Amalie Robert 2007 Pinot Noir Reserve, resembling – but also heightening – aromatic behavior I’ve experienced this year in a number of wines harvested in this “vintage from hell.” Relatively low tannin – like high perfume – is a theme here, but there is an invigorating ping born of fresh red berry acidity allied to subtle crunch of berry seeds on an otherwise polished palate. Reflecting the warmth that led up to 2007’s miseries, hints of caramel are allied to entirely ripe expressions of red fruits, and 13.6% alcohol reveals itself as expansiveness without weight or heat. A smoky aura of burley tobacco mingles with the profuse inner-mouth perfume of this buoyant, vibrant Pinot that finishes with fine, long, mouthwateringly salt-tinged length: not gripping but both stimulating and soothing. I can only hazard a guess as to how long it will remain in such a flattering state, but nothing I taste now suggests it will be less than another couple of years. 94 points.

Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2010
Limpid red. Bright strawberry, raspberry and Asian spices on the nose, with a seductive note of potpourri that gains strength with air. Sappy, spicy, attractively sweet red fruit flavors are energized by tangy blood orange and white pepper nuances, with a note of medicinal cherry adding grip. Plays deep cherry off tangy strawberry on the finish, which is precise, lively and very long. This will age on its energy and balance. 93 points.
2006 The Reserve Accolades

Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2009
Saturated red. Inviting aromas of raspberry, cherry-cola, dried rose and Asian spices, with a suave undercurrent of smoky minerals. Powerful red and dark berry flavors are framed by silky tannins and complicated by candied flowers and anise. Expands with air, picking up deeper cherry and black cardamom qualities that extend through the sweet, lively and finely focused finish. While this is concentrated to age, there's a lot going on right now. 93 points.