Wine Club Release Spring 2021
Feb 15, 2021 - A break in the snowstorm just before sunset.
Thank you for your support over this last tumultuous year. With the pandemic and fires of 2020 in the rearview mirror, we can again focus on the vineyard and wines.
Club Release - As a tiny winery, not beholden to any commercial shelf requirements, we get to play and experiment, make small-batch wines, and conduct "secret" projects. This round, for the Family level wine members, we've decided to share two of our smaller, special productions, 2017 PMS and 2018 The One, along with three mainstays - 2018 Heretic, 2017 Serving Time and 2018 Pale Rider. For the Native level wine members, we are showcasing the three mainstays - 2018 Heretic, 2017 Serving Time and 2018 Pale Rider. Both Family and Native members are welcome to make substitutions as desired. All of these wines are robust and will age very well, details on each below.
Smart Buys - The 2014 Next Time is nearing migration to the Library List. It is flat-out enchanting, and for a 7-year-old Dundee Hills pinot at $48, unbeatable. The 2011 First Time and 2013 Next Time are down to about 10 cases each; if you want some more, it's now or never - first come. first serve. And the 2016 Heretic (perhaps my favorite Heretic to date) is about to flip to the Library - still $65.
Other Notable Wines - For our white wine fans (which you all should be!) we have something special for substitution. We made a single barrel, reserve-level, pinot blanc in 2019; there are only 23 cases of this 2019 Karsts. It is $45/bottle with a 6-bottle limit. It is splendid. The 2016 Solstice Skies dry riesling just took silver at the 2021 East Meets West competition where NY and West Coast winemakers duke it out for best riesling bragging rights. For red fans, the 2017 vintage, across the board, is really kicking butt. All pinots from 2014 to 2016 are luscious - there are no "misses" in the group. If you want something a touch more opulent focus on 2015. For elegant, go 2014, and for classic, turn to 2016. We're drinking them all nightly!
Events - We will reopen for tastings on April 1, 2021!! We will have to follow whatever state guidelines are in place then, but we've been completely closed for the last 4 months. We look forward to safely sharing our wines and hosting you again at Native Flora! So, book a spot and come see us. We may remember how to pour wine.
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. 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 check out and stock up on new wines 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 March 21; 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 this all the way to the end for useful details.
Winemaker's Picks
2017 "Serving Time" Estate Pinot Noir - $48
OK. This baby, for me, pairs perfectly with a big slice of humble pie. I failed to give it the early respect it deserved, and it is now slapping my face with each sip. It is layered, textural, silky-slidey-smooth, raspberry and clove, cedar, sandalwood and teak. It is earth, fir, a touch of mint. Just enjoy it. It took gold at the 2020 Sunset Magazine Wine Competition, then went on to take gold at the 2020 Best of the West Invitational. I'll be sitting in my corner dining on pie. 15 minutes to breathe. Optimal 2022 - 2030.2018 "The Heretic" Reserve Estate Pinot Noir - $65
This Heretic shifts spectrum slightly from prior years. Most Heretics have a "deep blue" flavor to me which equates to smoke, forest floor, tobacco, mushroom - big, dark and brooding. This Heretic retains those notes but somehow shifts into a deep brick red hue for me. It definitely will benefit from age in bottle, and I'm drinking one periodically to watch how it evolves. For me, the complexity and novelty of it are quite intriguing. Open at least 45 minutes prior to consumption. Optimal 2023 - 2035.2018 "The One" Super Reserve Estate Pinot Noir - $100
We have made this wine twice in the last 10 years, completely vintage dependent, and this is the first time we've ever included it in a club shipment. It is the combination of 4 handpicked barrels, that blend seamlessly, and reveal the beauty of the entire vintage. My palate loves complex, yet SUPER focused wines. The best analogy I can use is a laser beam that is constantly changing colors. Cherry compote, coffee, maple syrup, chocolate, spiced pie crust all haunt the nose. The taste that follows is driving, gliding and pure, pure, pure. For now, you must give this wine at least an hour of air! Optimal 2023 - 2035.2017 "PMS" Secret Estate Red Blend - $48
We're fans of the Aussie GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre) red blends. Since we grow a little malbec and a little syrah here (which you can't do), we decided back in 2015 to try a Pinot, Malbec, Syrah (PMS) blend of our own. It started as a fun project that somehow morphed into a cult-favorite for those who have had a taste. We can't make it every year and we can't ever make much of it due to limited plantings. But at least, this once, we're going to let the Family Club have a try. Give it 15 minutes of air time. Optimal 2021 to 2030.2018 "Pale Rider" Blanc de Pinot Noir - $36
This wine is back from the dead! I committed a huge faux pas last year (and I apologize), but it's a good mistake. If you look back, you'll see this wine as extinct in 2020. I inadvertently buried an entire pallet of it behind and under a row of pinots. It was found this winter during a cellar reorg. It is 100% pinot noir, bone dry, with no skin contact. Aromatics of apricot, peach, butterscotch and popcorn lift from the glass, while it surprises with much more weight and heft than one would expect on the palate. Pop and go. Optimal now to 2025.
Wines Available For Addition or Substitution
Adequate Inventory
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 "Serving Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $48
2017 "The Heretic" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
2017 "A Matter of Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
2017 "Jaguar" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75
2018 "A Time to Remember" - Estate Pinot Noir - $48
2019 "The Jolly Rancher" - Estate Rosé - $36
Endangered
2014 "Next Time" - Estate Pinot Noir - $48
2016 "The Heretic" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
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 "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 "Jaguar" - Estate Pinot Noir - $100 (Limit 12 bottles)
2019 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Estate Reserve 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 - $180 (Endangered)
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)
Pre-Release
2018 "Jaguar" - Estate Pinot Noir - $75
2018 "L'Autre" - Estate Pinot Noir - $65
2019 "Pale Rider" - Estate Blanc de Noir (white pinot) - $36
Recently Extinct
2016 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Pinot Blanc
2018 "Karsts of the Andaman" - Pinot Blanc
2013 "Strong Armed" - Ribbon Ridge PN
2016 "The One" - signed Imperial 5 Liter
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.
- If you do not respond in any fashion, the above shipment will be sent in approximately two weeks.
- If you wish to make changes or 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 or gonative@nativeflora.com. We only need the card number and expiration date, NOT the CCV code.
- Covid-19 Shipping: Unless otherwise notified by you, we will ship to the same address we used last Fall. 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 for Fall but we did not permanently change your Ship-To Address unless those were your instructions.
Best wishes to you and your families.
– Scott & Denise