Family Wine Club Spring 2020
Above the morning fog - snow on the Coast Range.
Prologue: I always write this note in first person as it helps me craft the voice and story that I want to share. But everyone should know that Denise, quiet, steadfast, and anchoring, is every bit as engaged. Without her devotion to and support of our endeavor, Native Flora would implode. So, hats off to my dear wife, please understand “we” where I write “I”, and on to the update.
All -
I always look forward to sitting down at keyboard to craft our notes twice a year. Usually, they reflect on life at the vineyard, the trials and tribulations of grapes and wines, and the fun we have doing what we do.
Two weeks ago, on a cold, clear morning, I stopped to marvel at the beauty of our vineyard and location. The morning sun was filtering through the trees, the vineyard was immaculately mowed courtesy of our sheep, and all the colors of Oregon seemed a touch more vibrant than normal. I paused simply to appreciate how lucky we are to be in this place. And, as I did so, I thought to myself, I'll start the next club letter with this moment. I can talk about the constructs of time, a lifespan, the earth and most importantly, how a person becomes a thread in the weave of a larger, nature-driven fabric.
And then, Coronavirus, and all our worlds flipped. So, I will save the discourse on time and composition for a time less pressing. Right now, all of us are engaged in immediate decisions affecting our cumulative health and well being. A number of you, scheduled to visit this Spring, have cancelled in recent days - with profuse apologies. None are needed. Our individual actions will ultimately contribute to the success or failure of our collective response. (I haven't noted anyone on TV mentioning how non-partisan or apolitical a virus is - but they will soon enough.) We all pull together, or we all suffer together. I always close personal correspondence with the words "Be well" or "Stay well" - for a reason.
We, too, are effected. Our daughter was scheduled to fly to Spain for 3 months to work at an exotic animal clinic outside Madrid. Her university just cancelled all travel to Europe, so she will finish her Animal Science and Spanish degrees from home this term - online! My brother flew to Taiwan last Sunday - he was one of two passengers in the business section of a 787. Denise and I have been planning numerous market visits and dinners for late April and early May. They may become impossible. If they happen, we'll be in Kansas City on April 15 and 16, Sarasota on April 22, Naples on April 23, Charleston on April 27, Dallas on May 4 and 5. As we know more, we'll share more.
One thing we can do is supply you with some fine wines for any type of quarantine! You don't have to go shopping to get it, and you know it came from virus free environs. And, with tongue in cheek, I must muse that if alcohol is good for sterilizing my hands on the outside, it certainly can't hurt on the inside! (I do apologize for my fatalistic, dark sense of humor in advance.) Our best wishes are with all of you. Be smart, don't take unnecessary risks, and most importantly, stay well.
Club Release - We've been waiting for the 2017 Pinots to come around, and they have! This case is an 9 pinot, 3 white mix. We're releasing the 2017 Serving Time, 2017 Heretic, and 2018 Karsts, along with a reload on the 2015 Pressed for Time. Tasting notes and awards below.
Other Notable Wines - These are showing exceptionally well right now, and would make great substitutions depending upon preferences. We have very limited supply of the 2018 Jumping Ship, our Pinot Gouges grape - if you are a white wine fan (everyone should be), it is rare and wonderful. The 2015 Heretic has suddenly "jumped the shark" over the last two months. If you have some, open and revel in it, if you have none, get some. Across the board, the 2013 and 2014 Pinots are excellent. The 2013 vintage, poo-pooed by many critics, has done what so many "bad" Oregon vintages do - make critics look silly. The 2013 Next Time is splendid; it is velvety, cozy and refined in demeanor; with 7 years from vintage it has begun to show its true colors.
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 collectors stock up on superb wines at preferential pricing before general release.
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 March 28; otherwise, you get the winemaker's pick detailed below. As a Family Club member, your cost is the retail price shown less 15%. Please read this email all the way to the end for useful details. Be well.
Winemaker's Picks
(3) 2017 "Serving Time" Estate Pinot Noir - $48
(Silver - Texsom 2020) This "Time" series pinot differs for me from the vineyard norm. The nose shows more raspberry leaf and tea leaf than 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.
(3) 2017 "Heretic" North Slope Estate Pinot Noir - $65
(No competitions). The 2017 Heretic will be a classic. The smokiness and charred cedar characteristics of Blocks 6 and 7 are prominently displayed. The structure is massive but finely tuned. Alcohols and acids are effortlessly melded. A great ager. Cellar up to 15+ years.
(3) 2015 "Pressed for Time" Estate Pinot Noir - $48
(Silvers - NY Intl, Florida, Sunset Mag, Critics Challenge). We like to promote a wine when it really reaches a fine drinking point. Our 2015 Pressed, until recently, had always been a bit overstated for MY palate - almost everyone else has loved it from day one. In the last few months, its overtness has tempered - it is now (and, as a wine snob, I hate to admit this) among my favorite daily drinkers. Always admit when you're wrong. Cellar up to 15+ years.
(3) 2018 "Karsts of the Andaman" Estate Pinot Blanc - $34
(Best of Class 2020 SF Chronicle) This wine just took the best of class award at the nation's largest competition. Our Pinot Blancs have been taking top awards for 3 years now. They are always super crisp, super dry, mouth watering explosions of tart apple and bosc pear. Add a touch of spice (think clove/cardamom) et voilá! Cellar up to 7+ years.
Wines Available For Addition or Substitution
Still Plentiful
Endangered
2015 "The Heretic" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
2015 "Cuvée Libertus" - Estate Sparkling Extra Brut - $65
2016 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Estate Pinot Blanc - $34
2016 "The Heretic" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
2016 "Jaguar" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75
2017 "Ruby Primo" Estate Ruby Wine - $36
2017 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Estate Pinot Blanc - $34
2018 "Pale Rider" - Estate Blanc de Noir - $36
2018 "Jumping Ship" - Pinot Gouges - $46
Library Selections
2011 "First Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75 (Limit 6 bottles)
2011 "Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $125 (Limit 3 bottles)
2012 "Next Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $85 (Limit 3 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 6 bottles)
2013 "Next Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75 (Limit 12 bottles)
2013 "Jaguar" - Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - $100 (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)
2016 "The Jolly Rancher" - Estate Rosé - $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)
Pre-Release
2017 "Jaguar" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75
If you wish to make changes or additions to the above order, please send us an email detailing your preferences. (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.
If you do not respond in any fashion, the above shipment will be sent in approximately two weeks.
If you wish to add additional wines to your regular shipment, please send us an email or call with details.
Please contact us if your credit card number has changed or expired - (503) 504-1990. We only need the card number and expiration date, NOT the CCV code. If you want to send it via email or text, break it up into a couple of separate notes so all the info isn't in one place together, or call, voicemail is secure, too.
Best wishes to you and your families.
– Scott & Denise