2009 The Reserve Pinot Noir

The Reserve is an exclusive 50 case selection of Pinot Noir representing our most intriguing wine in the cellar. The final blend represents 3 blocks planted to Dijon clone 114, Dijon clone 115 and Pommard. The fermenter lots were: O, M & G!

Every block of Pinot Noir 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 50 case blend from our two favorite barrels.

The Vintage: The 2009 vintage is revealing exceptionally aromatic and balanced wines. A very temperate growing season provided the typical vineyard events right on schedule. Our degree days came in at a very moderate to cool 2,072. Harvest was leisurely as we had little concern for rains or compromised fruit. Harvest began on October 5th and concluded with the Syrah and Viognier on the 22nd. Please follow this link to learn more about the vintage: http://www.amalierobert.com/Julian_calendar.htm

Tasting Notes: Electra red opens a portal into your Pinot Noir sensory cortex. The heady aromas meander through sandalwood, Chinese five spice, and tart red raspberry preserves that are punctuated with dried sage and bitter cocoa. The initial flavors are rich and dense, testing your patience until they bloom with a permeating texture into dark cherry and freshly tilled damp earth, buttressed with firm stem tannin and precision acidity.

The wine evolves presenting a depth and breadth of flavor and texture on the palette that is only limited by your imagination. The experience lingers longingly on the back palate with a sense of purpose and attention to detail.

This wine is clearly one of our more opulent offerings of The Reserve that will reward your investment in cellar aging. Or if you like – “a bad girl with unresolved issues upon release.”

Suggested Food Pairings: Elk Loin Wellington with garlic sautéed bok choy and a hearty lentil ragout with Morrell mushrooms. You would be well served by a cheese board with a selection of your favorite winter blues.


2008 The Reserve Accolades

Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2011

Bright ruby-red. Seductive aromas of raspberry, Asian spices, potpourri and blood orange, with a note of white pepper adding lift and vivacity. Dry, nervy and very precise, offering tangy red fruit and floral pastille flavors and showing no excess fat. Seamless and pure on the finish, which lingers with outstanding tenacity and echoing spice and floral notes. 93 points.

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.