Amalie Robert Estate - Shop by Vintage / 2012 / All Products

2012 Top Barrel Syrah

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 08:46:00 GMT

2012 Top Barrel Syrah
Buy Now: $100.00

Top Barrel Syrah is 100% Amalie Robert Estate grown Syrah. Among our 35 acres of Pinot Noir, we have planted 0.80 acres (1,188 vines to be exact) of Syrah. This bottling is from the single best barrel of Syrah from the vintage - The Top Barrel.

We grow Syrah right along side Pinot Noir, and most of the vineyard work is very similar. The primary difference is that we have to wait until November to harvest. We think it is worth the wait.

Syrah is a very adaptive variety, and much like Pinot Noir, reflects its growing conditions. Syrah is grown in the hottest parts of the southern Hemisphere where it is known as "Shiraz" and a bit farther south into the cool climate of New Zealand as well. The entire west coast of the United States grows Syrah from California, to the warm areas of eastern Washington and now very small plantings in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

However, the birthplace of Syrah seems to be the Northern Rhône Valley. Recent DNA research shows Syrah to be a cross between Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Both of these varieties are indigenous to France. Syrah is planted from the cool regions of the Northern Rhône where it is bottled as a single varietal, to the tip of the Southern Rhône where it is often blended with other varietals.

Visit 2012 to see additional products in this category.

2012 The Other Reserve Pinot Noir

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 12:27:00 GMT

2012 The Other Reserve Pinot Noir
Buy Now: $150.00

2012 The Reserve Pinot Noir

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:06:00 GMT

2012 The Reserve Pinot Noir
Buy Now: $100.00

The Reserve is an exclusive case selection of Pinot Noir representing our most intriguing wine in the cellar. The final blend represents countless hours of tasting wine from barrel. Only with such in-depth knowledge of our subject, were we able to select these three barrels of Pinot Noir.

Every block of Pinot Noir within our 35 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 18 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 65 case blend from our three favorite barrels.

Visit 2012 to see additional products in this category.

2012 Estate Selection Pinot Noir

Sun, 19 Jul 2015 11:29:00 GMT

2012 Estate Selection Pinot Noir
Buy Now: $50.00

Estate Selection is an exclusive barrel selection of Pinot Noir representing the unique qualities of our vineyard. 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 18 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. Our use of whole clusters in each fermentation provides a continuously evolving tasting experience.

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.

It is usually during the spring when Pinot Noir in barrel begins to reveal the character of the vintage. Much like experiencing the lavender lilac bloom – you notice the color, then the hint of sweetness in the air and as time passes you are witness to the entire bloom – a testament to the season. This is when we begin blending trials for Estate.

Visit 2012 to see additional products in this category.

2012 Amalie's Cuvee Pinot Noir

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 16:48:00 GMT

2012 Amalie's Cuvee Pinot Noir
Buy Now: $50.00

Amalie’s Cuvée is an exclusive barrel selection of Pinot Noir representing the unique qualities of our vineyard. 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 by indigenous yeast in small 1.5 ton lots and matured for over 18 months in French oak barrels.

Again this year, we selected the barrels of wine that offered supple elegance and presence. After repeated trials, a very special and familiar blend began to emerge. From year to year, we strive to reveal the elegance and grace of Oregon Pinot Noir. Amalie’s Cuvée is this blend.

Visit 2012 to see additional products in this category.

2012 Dijon Clones Pinot Noir

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 18:55:00 GMT

2012 Dijon Clones Pinot Noir
Buy Now: $40.00

Dijon Clones is a blend ofPinot Noir clones representing a collage of vineyard blocks. As with all of ourblocks of Pinot Noir, these vines are individually hand harvested at their peakof flavor maturity and intensity. The fruit was fermented in small lots andthen matured in French oak barrels from a selection of coopers.

The 2012 Dijon Clones Pinot Noir is ablend of 7 Dijonclones sourced from 12 dry farmed blocks. The barrels of wine crafted from eachblock are culminations of the soil, rootstock, clonal selections and our uniquemicroclimates.

Much like an individual instrument in asymphony, each barrel contributes its own unique character to the finalcomposition. The individual clonal attributes are presented in the aroma andbouquet. The flavors and textures combine on the palate to provide depth andrich layers of Pinot Noir fruit that are distinctly Oregon.

As is the case withall of our Pinot Noirs, this bottling is 100% Estate grown and hand harvestedfruit. The individual blocks were fermented with whole clusters and indigenousyeast from the vineyard. In the cellar, we aged the individual lots in Frenchoak barrels for a minimum of 12 months. The blend is a reflection of our soils,microclimates and stewardship of the land.

The Vintage: The 2012 vintage, like all Oregon vintages, is a story unto itself. The growing season was warm and dry, with no measurable precipitation from mid-June through mid-October. A collection of seemingly perfect days, followed by cool evenings, extended the ripening period through mid-October. A brief day of soaking rain occurred on Friday the 12th, and we began harvest that Sunday. You can read the full Harvest After Action Report (AAR) atwww.amalierobert.com/2012_julian_calendar.htm

Tasting Notes: Redacted red leads to a mélange of dark berries, baking cocoa, incense and tilled earth. The palate is silky, yet restrained, and offers a texture that reveals a harmonious blend of deep flavors within a framework of acidity and tannin. From the "Trundling Thunder" vintage where the tighter they are wound, the farther they will take you. Unfined and unfiltered.

Suggested Food Pairings: Braised pork shoulder with white beans, Sautéed Brussels sprouts with onion and duck bacon, and fresh bitter greens tossed in Balsamic vinaigrette.

Visit 2012 to see additional products in this category.