Wine Club Release Fall 2022
Like Maureen, this growing season has left us feeling a bit upside-down. Full story in your club email…
Things continue to change in the valley, some wineries are now owned by new entities, the vineyards planted around us are now harvesting and we continue to enjoy what we do. Being a quality, small producer selling to a limited audience at reasonable prices has been and remains our sole objective. We can't thank you enough for your support, loyalty, friendship, and good humor in our little endeavor.
Wisps of Smoke
This is the first club release where the lack of 2020 pinots will be felt. As mentioned last Spring, there will be no 2020 Jaguar. Heretic, L'autre, PMS, etc., due to smoke impact from the wildfires. Fortuitously, we made extra wine in the 2017 and 2018 seasons when quality and quantity from the vineyard allowed. Those cellar delights will carry us through this and next Spring's release. We're using the 2017 Serving Time as a backbone for this release. It is stupendous at 5 years of age!
We did make a limited amount of 2020 pinot for the Time series. Ironically called Time to Burn, we felt it imperative to keep our climate recording Time series intact, as well as allow everyone to really understand what the words "smoke impact, taint, effect" mean. We used 6 barrels to make 150 cases. This means that every club member can theoretically have only 2 bottles on an allocation basis. The wine is actually quite lovely; the quality of the harvest in 2020 was on par with our very best years.
For me, the smoke impact has a unique profile. Imagine a roaring outdoor bonfire fueled with oak and maple. The next morning you find a cinder cone of pure white ash, warm and aromatic, pleasant not acrid, no longer smoking but imbued with the sense of smoke. It's a smell I actually enjoy. Time to Burn is a glorious pinot infused with this light smoke element. It is not overwhelming; it is not overt. But it is there. I think it's an elegant example of smoke taint from which everyone can learn. We've poured it for a couple of special events as an educational tool, and each time, one or more people have come back to buy more - because they love it. For you Bourbon and Scotch drinkers, you may well adore this wine.
Vintage Thoughts
2022 is a complete crapshoot at this juncture! 10 days into October and we had yet to pick a single grape. So far, ripening grapes taste great. If the weather cooperates (which it looks like), this could be an epic year for hang time and flavor development.
2021 is tasting very good in barrel. Flavor density is high. Acids are present and balanced. The wines have an inherent richness which I find pleasing. Our heritage clones like Jackson and Mount Eden seem to be the standouts so far. We'll start blending work next Spring, bottle over the summer, and have at least one 2021 pinot ready for release in the Fall of 2023.
2019 is pretty racy. The acids are more typical of a cooler year with late harvest. Sit on these pinots for another year or two.
2018 pinots are starting to hit an early stride, but I suspect it's the first lap of a 1500 meter race. The rhythm is set, the pace aggressive, records are at risk! This feels like an iconic Oregon vintage in the making. I mentioned this early on, and everything continues to point that way. It is a robust yet controlled, gaining momentum without losing integrity. This is a perfect vintage for holding large format bottles. The magazine pundits will start yapping about 2018 soon.
2014-2017 Our 2014's are simply stunning now. A touch of reduction on the nose, racy acidity - Burgundies from the wrong continent. The magnums from 2014 are a super smart buy, now. 2015 remains opulent but, for me, has attained better balance both on mid-palate and finish. 2016 is still a Goldilocks vintage; it is showing well and continuing to improve. 2017 continues to surprise me; it has far exceeded my early expectations, and frankly, I still can't quite understand why it is so damn good. It remains my humble pie vintage.
Pre-2014 If you have our 2009 - 2013 wines in your cellar, do not hesitate to dig in. All of these vintages taste superb. Denise and I have consumed each of these 5 vintages over the course of the summer, and every one of them was wonderful. 2010 is taking on notes of aged Burgundies. 2009 and 2011 remain racy as ever. 2012 is fairly majestic. 2013 is focused and pure. A big surprise last week - a 2012 Karsts pinot blanc! Yep, a 10-year old white now absolutely exquisite. We took it to dinner with another winemaker, who upon tasting exclaimed, "Wow! What the f__ is this? It's amazing!" It was. I wish I had more.
Family Club Release (FC) - I really like this club release. It is old and new, red, white and pink, safe and daring. The 2019 Jaguar is finally stepping out (more below). The 2020 Pale Rider (100% pinot noir - no skin contact, so no color) is exquisite; we're pouring it in the tasting room right now, and everyone is falling in love with it. The 2017 Serving Time is an aged-for-you cellar release. The 2020 Karsts is also a tasting room favorite right now, and you get 2 bottles of the 2020 Time to Burn from which to learn, and probably enjoy.
(3) 2017 Serving Time Pinot Noir
(3) 2019 Jaguar Reserve Pinot Noir
(2) 2020 Time to Burn Pinot Noir
(2) 2020 Pale Rider Blanc de Noir
(2) 2020 Karst of the Andaman Pinot Blanc
Native Club Release (NC) - I really like this club release. It is old and new, red, white and pink, safe and daring. The 2019 Jaguar is finally stepping out (more below), our new rosé 2021 The Strawberry Blonde makes its debut replacing the now extinct Jolly Rancher, our poorly named, but beloved rosé of the last decade. The 2017 Serving Time is an aged-for-you cellar release. The 2020 Karsts is a tasting room favorite right now, and you get a bottle of the 2020 Time to Burn from which to learn, and probably enjoy.
(2) 2017 Serving Time Pinot Noir
(1) 2019 Jaguar Reserve Pinot Noir
(1) 2020 Time to Burn Pinot Noir
(1) 2021 Strawberry Blonde Rosé
(1) 2020 Karsts of the Andaman Pinot Blanc
New Logistics for Texas and Arizona — We now have a new door-to-door, refrigerated shipping service available to the Phoenix, Tucson, Dallas, Austin, and Houston metro areas. San Antonio should be joining the fold shortly, and plans to expand to Florida exist. Vinum-55 now allows us to ship to these markets year round, right through the heart of summer. So far, their service has been nothing short of impeccable with rates no higher than regular UPS. They have a fleet of refrigerated delivery vehicles at destination, and schedule precise delivery times according to your schedule. Customer feedback has been glowing.
Tasting Great/Timely Buys — All 3 of our champagnes are really turning heads, and selling quickly - we probably only have 80 cases total left. The 2014 Lussier is a pinot noir dosage, the 2014 Libertus is a pinot blanc dosage, and the 2014 Loertscher is a rosé dosage. All are spectacular. These all aged in tirage for (7) years waiting to be finished - think about it - 8 years to make a bubbly. They are unlike any champagne or sparkling to be found on any retail shelf. Flavorful, textural, bold, with super fine bubble structure - I describe them as Champagne that is "chewy".
We're down to our last pallet of 2014 Next Time. At 8-years of age, and priced at $65/bottle, it is likely the best pinot buy in Oregon right now.
Our recent new projects are gold. We've poured them sparingly in the tasting room, mainly for club members, because they are all small in production.
2017 Last Blend Standing is a breakout hit. Aged 42 months in neutral oak barrels it has taken on an entirely new structure, tasting and feeling like a Barolo. We're down to about 20 cases.
The 2021 reserve pinot blanc, Loh Samah Bay, is gorgeous. We've started a special barrel regimen and the results are phenomenal - the aromatics are unbelievable.
The 2014 - 2017 vintages of Jaguar and Heretic are dropping steadily. I try to warn everyone when I see the end coming as I hate the sound of wailing and gnashing of teeth. Consider yourself warned.
Logistics/Events —
July 14 and 15, 2023 - Our Annual Sunset Dinner. Word is out. Demand for last summer's dinner exploded, so we've moved to a two night consecutive format. Chef Jody outdid himself last year. Plan and reserve seats early - we sold all 120 seats easily, and we can't reasonably expand beyond that level. Price will be going up - expect it to be in the $225/person range, all-in, for food and beverage. Expect great food, new stories, great comradery.
Winemaker's Picks
2017 "Serving Time" Estate Pinot Noir - $50 (FC and NC)
This "Time" series pinot differs for me from the vineyard norm. The nose shows more raspberry leaf and tea leaf then any other vintage, and the palate tends to a brighter rather than darker red. It (like the entire vintage) is very well structured with abundant, very fine tannins. Cellar up to 15+ years.
2019 "Jaguar" Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $75 (FC and NC)
When we first personified this wine with the name Jaguar, it was to describe a dark, stealthy, muscular kitty of a wine. It has become a very apt analogy for describing the wine on a year to year basis. The 2019 Jaguar is a bit lighter in build, still powerful but more tawny, not muscular. It is quicker than most of its brethren, faster and more agile among the treetops. This is a sleek, elusive cat. Cellar up to 15+ years.
2020 "Time to Burn" Estate Pinot Noir - $50 (FC and NC)
Lot's of notes and explanations about this wine in the Wisps of Smoke section, above. It's an incredibly elegant, compact pinot with a hint of cinder ash on nose and palate. Technically, it is flawed; reality, it's really good and I will openly admit I like it in spite of its technical status. There is no better wine balancing pure pinot quality with a hint of smoke impact. This is your chance to truly understand. Cellar no more than 3 years - not for aging.
2020 "Pale Rider" Estate Blanc de Noir - $36 (FC)
We started producing a white pinot from 100% pinot noir back in 2013. We're getting really good at it. This unique "white" offers the lighter aromatics and flavors in the peach, apricot and pear range, but maintains the viscosity and mouthfeel of a red. It is a wonderfully versatile wine when it comes to food, running the gamut from quail and salad, to grilled meats. If you are one of those people who think, "Oh, I don't want anything pale or pink," you need to broaden your horizons. This is a beautiful wine, regardless of hue. Cellar up to 7+ years.2021 "The Strawberry Blonde" - Estate Rosé - $36 (NC)
This is the most deliberate rosé we've made. We practiced in 2020 working on balance and flavor profile. The nose reminds me of Strawberry Pixie Sticks (go ask someone over 60) which makes your brain think sweet, but the palate corrects your nose's error. Flavors are a blend of strawberry, cherry, muskmelon, apricot with a dust of cinnamon. It maintains crisp acidity without being tart; it is fruit forward without being sweet. I drank half a bottle analyzing it last night, and simply loved it. Cellar up to 5 years.
2020 "Karsts of the Andaman" Estate Pinot Blanc - $36 (FC and NC)
Our Pinot Blancs continue to win major awards. Slowly, but surely, we've begun to overthrow the suffocating domination of chardonnay! Everyday someone remarks, "Wow, this is much better than the chards I have at home!" Karsts is always a super crisp, super dry, mouthwatering explosion of Meyer lemon, tart apple and bosc pear. Maybe a touch of clove and cardamom. Perfect! Cellar up to 7+ years.
Wines Available For Addition or Substitution
Adequate Inventory
2016 "Solstice Skies" - Rogue Valley Dry Riesling - $36
2020 "Ruby Primo" - Secret Red Gem - $36
2020 "Pale Rider" - Estate Blanc de Noir - $36
2020 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Estate Pinot Blanc - $36
2021 "The Strawberry Blonde" - Estate Dry Rosé - $36
2015 "Pressed for Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $50
2016 "Time in a Bottle" - Estate Pinot Noir - $50
2017 "Serving Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $50
2017 "A Matter of Time (L'autre)" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
2018 "A Time to Remember" - Estate Pinot Noir - $50
2018 "The Heretic" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $75
2018 "Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $75
2018 "The One" - Estate Uber Reserve Pinot Noir - $100
2018 "Time Won't Let Me" - Estate Pinot Noir - $50
2019 "The Heretic" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $75
2019 "Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $75
Endangered
2014 "Cuvée Loertscher" - Estate 7-Year Tirage Sparkling - $65
2014 "Cuvée Lussier" - Estate 7-Year Tirage Sparkling - $65
2014 "Cuvée Libertus" - Estate 7-Year Tirage Sparkling - $65
2017 "Last Blend Standing" - 42-Month Elevage Pinot Noir - $75
2018 "PMS" - Pinot/Malbec/Syrah Estate Red Blend - $50
2018 "L'autre" - Estate "Rogue Barrels" Pinot Noir - $65
2021 "Loh Samah Bay" - Estate Reserve Pinot Blanc - $50
Library Selections
2014 "Next Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65 (Limit 12 bottles)
2014 " Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot - $100 (Limit 6 bottles)
2015 "The Heretic" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 12 bottles)
2015 "Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 12 bottles)
2016 "The Heretic" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 12 bottles)
2016 "Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 12 bottles)
2017 "The Heretic" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 12 bottles)
2017 "Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 12 bottles)
Edge of Extinction
2012 "Venerable Youth" - Eola-Amity PN - $100 (Limit 3 bottles)
2013 "Next Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $85 (Limit 3 bottles)
2016 "The One" - Estate Uber Reserve Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 6 bottles)
2017 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Estate Pinot Blanc - $45 (Limit 6 bottles)
2013 "Venerable Youth" - Eola-Amity PN - $75 (Limit 3 bottles)
2019 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Estate Reserve Pinot Blanc - $60 (Limit 3 bottles)
Recently Extinct
2020 "Loh Samah Bay" - Estate Reserve Pinot Blanc
2019 "Pale Rider" - Estate Blanc de Noir
2018 "Jumping Ship" - Pinot Gouges
2017 "PMS" - Estate Pinot/Malbec/Syrah Blend
2011 "First Time" - Estate Pinot Noir
Large Format (Ships Separately)
Magnums - 1.5 Liter
2014 "Heretic" Magnum - $200 (Library)
2014 " Jaguar" Magnum - $180 (Endangered)
2016 "The Heretic" - Magnum - $180 (Endangered)
2016 "The One" - Magnum - $210 (Plentiful)
2017 "The Heretic" - Magnum - $160 (Plentiful)
2017 "Jaguar" - Magnum - $160 (Plentiful)
2017 "A Matter of Time (L'autre)" - Magnum - $140 (Plentiful)
2018 "The One" - Magnum - $210 (Plentiful)
2018 "The Heretic" - Magnum - $160 (Plentiful)
2018 "Jaguar" - Magnum - $160 (Plentiful)
2018 "L'autre" - Magnum - $140 (Plentiful)
2018 "Jumping Ship" - Pinot Blanc Magnum - $125 (Library)
2018 "A Time to Remember" - Magnum - $125 (Plentiful)
Imperials - 5 Liter (all signed, all Library upon release)
2016 "The One" - Imperial - $750
2017 "The Heretic" - Imperial - $550
2017 "Jaguar" - Imperial - $550
2018 "The Heretic" - Imperial - $550
2018 "Jaguar" - Imperial - $550
2018 "The One" - Imperial - $750
2018 "L'autre" - Imperial - $500
2018 "A Time to Remember" - Imperial - $375
If you wish to make changes or additions to the above order, please send us an email ASAP detailing your preferences (gonative@nativeflora.com). We will be processing the standard orders this week! Please remember - we need to be able to ship in multiples of 6 bottles, so order accordingly.
- 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/security code.
- Shipping: Unless otherwise notified by you, we will ship to the "Ship-To" address we have on file. If you are new to club, provided a business address for shipping, but now prefer us to ship to your home, please let us know. We adjusted many shipments during Covid, but we did not permanently change your Ship-To Address unless those were your instructions.
Best wishes to you and your families.
– Scott & Denise
Contact Us
gonative@nativeflora.com | 503-504-1990
11812 NE Worden Hill Rd, Newberg, Oregon 97132