Wine Club Release Fall 2020
Fall grapes, colors and critters to enjoy
Club Release - This is an all new lineup! For Family Club Members this is a 9 pinot, 3 pink case and for Native Club Members this is a 4 pinot, 2 pink case. (Unless you're on our all red or all lights sublist). We've been sitting on a few wines waiting for them to mature. The 2017 Jaguar is almost ready to pounce; our Time Series wine for 2018, A Time to Remember, is our first pinot release of this big, structured vintage; and for pink fans, our cult rosé, The Jolly Rancher is finally back. Lastly, I need to apologize for the name of the final pinot noir, 2017 A Matter of Time, but not for the wine - which is wonderful.
Each year, for the last 4-5 years, we've had 4-8 barrels of pinot march to their own drumbeat. They have been exquisite wines but not good candidates for Jaguar or The Heretic; they have often been used in the Time Series, or batched into tiny productions never commercially available. For the first time, from the 2017 vintage, we took 5 of those barrels and blended them into their own wine. It is a huge pinot noir, destined to age well and mature slowly. When we bottled it, I knew it would take quite awhile to really show its stuff, saying, "This will be great, it's just a matter of time." Then, I stupidly used that as its name. It has NOTHING to do with the Time Series, but during label writing, it didn't occur to me that it would create confusion. We just finished a similar wine from the 2018 vintage, calling it L'Autre, French, for "The Other". So, this really should be called 2017 L'Autre, not A Matter of Time.
Important: all three of these club release pinot noirs are destined for the long haul - they will greatly benefit from more years in the bottle. If you want to drink them soon, open them at least 2-3 hours (or a day) before consumption - they need to breathe. If you are in need of pinots to drink right away, I strongly urge you to add or substitute the 2014-2017 vintages. The 2014 Next Time and 2015 Pressed for Time are awesome and still only $48 retail; all of the 2016 pinots are quite good now, and the 2017 Serving Time is already showing off, having just taken a gold medal this summer at Sunset Magazine's 2020 competition.
Other Notable Wines - These are showing exceptionally well right now, and would make great substitutions or additions. On the white side, the 2017 Karsts pinot blanc offers great acidity, creaminess and salinity, all in one sip. The 2016 Solstice Skies Dry Riesling is now a full blown, London-petrol, gorgeous dry riesling like it should be (I'm super proud of this wine). The 2014 Next Time is surreal, easily the best Burgundy not from Burgundy! The 2016 Jaguar and Heretic are rapidly headed for the library list, so grab them before their status changes and the price goes up. In the library, there are some standouts - 2011 First Time and 2013 Next Time are nearing extinction - both excellent. The 2014 and 2015 Heretics and Jaguars are completely seductive.
Housekeeping - As always, our list of available wines is organized by scarcity. The Endangered section features wines which are rapidly depleting but can still be acquired at humane prices. The Library allows you a limited reload on older favorites. Both are on a first come, first serve basis. We have a Large Format section which ships separately from the regular 750 ml bottles. The Pre-Release section is intended to let club members stock up on superb wines at preferential pricing before general release. I've also added, by request, the Recently Extinct list - those wonderful wines that now only reside in private cellars.
Remember our club basics - everyone gets to make changes if desired. If you want to make substitutions or additions, you need to communicate those changes via email to us by October 14; otherwise, you get the winemaker's pick detailed below. As a Family Club member, your cost is the retail price shown less 15% and as a Native Club member, your cost is the retail price shown less 10%. Please read all the way to the end for useful details.
Family Club Winemaker's Picks
12 Bottles
(3) 2017 "Jaguar" Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $75
This Jaguar is a velvety, dark kitty with a lustrous sheen. The nose shows cherry licorice and red spice, the palate is silky in texture making me think of raspberry-cherry-cola, toasted cedar and teak shavings. It is very well structured with abundant, very fine tannins. Optimal 2023 - 2035.
(3) 2017 "A Matter of Time" Estate Pinot Noir - $65
As explained above, this wine should be called 2017 L'Autre. These 5 barrels produced 123 cases of a most remarkable pinot. Made from 2017's "rogue" barrels, it is simultaneously big, bold and elegant. The structure is fine but massive, alcohols and acids are perfectly seamed. Nose and palate will show mulberry, sage, dark spice, sandalwood, rose, Ludens cherry, coffee and more - super complex. Optimal 2024 - 2037.
(3) 2018 "A Time to Remember" Estate Pinot Noir - $48
Our first release from the 2018 harvest, Remember, explains the vintage well. It will be a wine critics favorite in the years ahead. The year marked a serious summer drought. Acid retention in the grapes was the best in a decade. Slight desiccation concentrated sugars and flavors; skins and lignified stem inclusion anchored tremendous tannins. If you like delicate, airy, ethereal pinots, this ain't it. This pinot is explosive, electric, gliding and pure. Blackberry compote, rose petal, raspberry leaf and a touch of umami are currently showing - this will expand in time. Optimal 2022 - 2035.
(3) 2019 "The Jolly Rancher" Estate Rosé - $36
That unmistakable nose of watermelon candy is back! The 2017 and 2018 vintages did not lend themselves to making The Jolly Rancher, so we waited. Sweet on the nose but crisp on the palate, this wine delivers the classic sweet-tart sensation for which it is known. And the malbec finish is still there! Boat wine, deck wine, lake wine, pool wine - it's just a fun, scrumptious beautiful rosé. Optimal now to 2023.
Native Club Winemaker's Picks
6 Bottles
(1) 2017 "Jaguar" Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $75
This Jaguar is a velvety, dark kitty with a lustrous sheen. The nose shows cherry licorice and red spice, the palate is silky in texture making me think of raspberry-cherry-cola, toasted cedar and teak shavings. It is very well structured with abundant, very fine tannins. Optimal 2023 - 2035.
(1) 2017 "A Matter of Time" Estate Pinot Noir - $65
As explained above, this wine should be called 2017 L'Autre. These 5 barrels produced 123 cases of a most remarkable pinot. Made from 2017's "rogue" barrels, it is simultaneously big, bold and elegant. The structure is fine but massive, alcohols and acids are perfectly seamed. Nose and palate will show mulberry, sage, dark spice, sandalwood, rose, Ludens cherry, coffee and more - super complex. Optimal 2024 - 2037.
(2) 2018 "A Time to Remember" Estate Pinot Noir - $48
Our first release from the 2018 harvest, Remember, explains the vintage well. It will be a wine critics favorite in the years ahead. The year marked a serious summer drought. Acid retention in the grapes was the best in a decade. Slight desiccation concentrated sugars and flavors; skins and lignified stem inclusion anchored tremendous tannins. If you like delicate, airy, ethereal pinots, this ain't it. This pinot is explosive, electric, gliding and pure. Blackberry compote, rose petal, raspberry leaf and a touch of umami are currently showing - this will expand in time. Optimal 2022 - 2035.
(2) 2019 "The Jolly Rancher" Estate Rosé - $36
That unmistakable nose of watermelon candy is back! The 2017 and 2018 vintages did not lend themselves to making The Jolly Rancher, so we waited. Sweet on the nose but crisp on the palate, this wine delivers the classic sweet-tart sensation for which it is known. And the malbec finish is still there! Boat wine, deck wine, lake wine, pool wine - it's just a fun, scrumptious beautiful rosé. Optimal now to 2023.
Wines Available For Addition or Substitution
Adequate Inventory
2014 "Next Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $48
2015 "Pressed for Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $48
2016 "Time in a Bottle" - Estate Pinot Noir - $48
2016 "Solstice Skies" - Rogue Valley Dry Riesling - $36
2017 "PMS" - Estate Pinot/Malbec/Syrah blend - $48
2017 "Serving Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $48
2017 "The Heretic" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
Endangered
2016 "The Heretic" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
2016 "Jaguar" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75
2016 "The One" - Estate Pinot Noir - $100
2017 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Estate Pinot Blanc - $34
2018 "Jumping Ship" - Pinot Gouges - $46
Library Selections
2011 "First Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75 (Limit 6 bottles)
2012 "Venerable Youth" - Eola-Amity PN - $75 (Limit 3 bottles)
2013 "Venerable Youth" - Eola-Amity PN - $56 (Limit 12 bottles)
2013 "Strong Armed" - Ribbon Ridge PN - $65 (Limit 3 bottles)
2013 "Next Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75 (Limit 6 bottles)
2014 "Heretic" - Estate North Slope Pinot - $100 (Limit 6 bottles)
2014 " Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot - $100 (Limit 6 bottles)
2015 "PMS" - Estate Pinot/Malbec/Syrah blend - $48 (Limit 6 bottles)
2015 "Jaguar" - Estate Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 12 bottles)
2015 "The Heretic" - Estate Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 12 bottles)
2016 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Pinot Blanc - $45 (Limit 6 bottles)
2018 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Pinot Blanc - $45 (Limit 6 bottles)
Large Format (Ships Separately)
2014 " Jaguar" Magnum 1.5 Liter - $180 (Endangered)
2014 "Heretic" Magnum 1.5 Liter - $180 (Library)
2016 "The Heretic" - Magnum 1.5 Liter - $140 (Plentiful)
2016 "Jaguar" - Magnum 1.5 Liter - $160 (Plentiful)
2016 "The One" - Magnum 1.5 Liter- $210 (Plentiful)
2016 "The Heretic" - signed Imperial 5 Liter - $500 (Library)
2016 "Jaguar" - signed Imperial 5 Liter - $550 (Library)
2016 "The One" - signed Imperial 5 Liter - $750 (Library - one left)
Pre-Release
2018 "Jaguar" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75
2018 "The Heretic" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
2018 "L'Autre" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
2018 "The One" - Estate Pinot Noir - $100
2019 "Pale Rider" - Estate Blanc de Noir (white pinot) - $36
Recently Extinct
2018 "Pale Rider" - Estate Blanc de Noir
2017 "Ruby Primo" Estate Ruby Wine
2016 "The Jolly Rancher" - Estate Rosé
2015 "Cuvée Libertus" - Estate Sparkling Extra Brut
2013 "Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir
2012 "Next Time" - Estate Pinot Noir
2011 "Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir
If you wish to make changes or additions to the above order, please send us an email detailing your preferences (gonative@nativeflora.com). Please remember - we need to be able to ship in multiples of 6 bottles, so order accordingly.
- Once your wishes are known, or you send us a note that says "looks good" or "let 'er rip" we'll get your shipment out as quickly as possible.
- Please contact us if your credit card number has changed or expired - (503) 504-1990 or gonative@nativeflora.com. We only need the card number and expiration date, NOT the CCV code.
- If you wish to make changes or add additional wines to your regular shipment, please send us an email or call with details.
- Covid-19 Shipping: If we typically ship to a business address but you want this shipment to your home or alternate address, please let us know. We adjusted many shipments for Spring but we did not permanently change your Ship-To Address unless those were your instructions.
- If you do not respond in any fashion, the above shipment will be sent in approximately two weeks.
Best wishes to you and your families.
– Scott & Denise