2012 Wadenswil Clone Pinot Noir

Wadenswil Clone is a 2 barrel selection of Estate grown Wadenswil clone Pinot Noir.

The pioneers who began planting Pinot Noir in the North Willamette Valley began primarily with 2 clones of Pinot Noir – Pommard (French, of course) and Wadenswil (Swiss.) As the vines matured, high quality wines from both clones were grown in the valley, but the Pommard clone was gaining wide spread acclaim and notoriety.

It seems that the Wadenswil clone was not well suited to the land it was being planted to. Most of the early plantings were done on basalt based soils such as Jory. However success leaves clues, and we did discover something others may have missed.

When planning our vineyard, we were particularly intrigued with the Wadenswil clone wines we had experienced from sedimentary soil vineyards. The fragrant, intense, laser focused fruit aromas were relentless. It is no accident, but a strategic choice that we have several of our sedimentary soil vineyard blocks planted to the Wadenswil clone.

Further to the point, it seems that every year one of these Wadenswil blocks is a cellar favorite and a component of “The Reserve.”

It may seem that we go to a good deal of trouble to explain an inconsequential event, but it is not so. Wadenswil clone Pinot Noir grown on our sedimentary soils is, for us, what Pinot Noir is all about. The full range of Pinot Noir aromas and flavors along with a dizzying array of mid-palate textures and reverberating acidity define the Wadenswil clone.

As the wine maturates in barrel, we are continually “thieving” and evaluating each barrel. While written records are very important, especially as we age, our mental and physical impression of each wine drives us.  As each sample is tasted and re-tasted, we begin to better understand what each blend represents and the promise it holds for future development.

While The Reserve is a blend of our very favorite barrels from the vintage, the Wadenswil clone blend represents our best expression of this pioneering clone.

As is the case with all of our Pinot Noirs, this bottling is 100% Estate grown and hand harvested fruit. The individual blocks were fermented with whole clusters and indigenous yeast from the vineyard. In the cellar, we aged the individual lots in French oak 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) at www.amalierobert.com/2012_julian_calendar.htm


Tasting Notes: Recalcitrant red leads to aromas of afternoon sun warmed blackberries on the vine, black tea, cinnamon, and sandal wood spice bound in the restraints of bridle leather. Whoa, a strapping young wine. The palate is the traditional velvet glove of Wadenswil - elegance masking intention, but only more so as the vintage character expresses itself unabated. Primal fruit characters yield to texture and intensity. Muscular stem tannins and enabling acidity are the enforcers of a protracted and immeasurably pleasurable interlude.


Suggested Food Pairings: Braised buffalo shanks served over freshly shredded red cabbage serves a gregarious gathering. You can make do with lamb shanks in a more intimate setting. Whole roast Pekin duck, sautéed foraged mushrooms and lardon roasted Brussels sprouts make a perfect foil for this wine.

2010 Wadenswil Clone Accolades
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2013 – 93 points
The Wine Advocate, October 2013 – 91 points

2009 Wadenswil Clone Accolades
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2012 – 93 points

2008 Wadenswil Clone Accolades
Wine & Spirits Magazine, October 2011 – 92 points, Year's Best Pinot Noir article
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2011 – 91 points
Oregon Wine Awards, May 2011 – Double Gold