SEVEN SPRING VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
June 3, 2009 by PWM
Long a source for Benchmark Oregon Pinot Noir, the Seven Springs Vineyard is now a "monopole" vineyard estate, meaning the entire vineyard is farmed and controlled by a single winery. Occupying the belly of an east facing ridge in the Eola Hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley, the terroir of the Seven Springs Vineyard is rich red volcanic rock, planted with a mix of Oregon Heritage & Dijon Clones. Superstar Winemaker Dominique Lafon consults on this Burgundy style pinot noir, emphasizing purity and elegance. Following gentle techniques to bring out the fruit character of the Pinot Noir, they have truly accomplished a masterpiece.
Spearheaded by former movie producer/speechwriter Mark Tarlov, Evening Land is a unique and ambitious project that highlights some of America's finest vineyard sights, starting with Oregon's Seven Springs Vineyard and Sonoma's Occidental. Seeking to put the terroir of these famous plots on display in a Burgundian style, Tarlov enlisted the help of several of the world's brightest stars. With Meursault vigneron Dominque Lafon (of Domaine Comte Lafon) and Sashi Moorman (of Ojai, III Somms) overseeing Oregon and Sonoma respectively, Evening Land is seeing quick results; the wines are being mentioned as heirs to the title of North America's finest Pinots and Chardonnays.
Serious pursuit of viticulture did not begin in the Willamette Valley until the late 1960's, but within a short period of time the potential of the region as a source for great Pinot Noir became apparent, as the moderate winters and cool summers provided a long, slow ripening season for the famously fickle grape.
2007 EVENING STAR (SEVEN SPRINGS) PINOT NOIR ESTATE....$39.95
Evening Land Vineyards Pinot noir made with fruit from several blocks of the Seven Springs Vineyard. Dark blackberry flavors and a strong streak of minerality form the character of this wine.
Wine Spectator says: "I like the iron-basalt overtones to the dark cherry and tobacco flavors in the complex and refined Pinot Noir Estate 2007, which blends fruit from all parts of the vineyard and sells for $45 at retail." - HS
2007 EVENING STAR (SEVEN SPRINGS) PINOT NOIR, LE SOURCE...79.95
Evening Land Vineyards Pinot noir made with Seven Springs Vineyard fruit. Intended for restaurants only.
Wine Spectator says: "The Pinot Noir La Source, which is destined for restaurants only, shows more ripe currant and blackberry fruit, with mineral character playing a supporting role. It reverses the polarity of fruit and mineral with the estate bottling." - HS
2007 EVENING STAR (SEVEN SPRINGS) PINOT NOIR, SUMMUM...$134.95
Evening Land Vineyards' premier Pinot noir, made from the oldest Pinot vines at Seven Springs Vineyard. The vines grow on a tiny lens at the bottom well of the La Source Cross where the ancient lava flow spread from North to South. The Witzel soils of Summum are extremely shallow and measure less than 1 foot before the roots strike hardened lava.
I suspect a Pinot has never been made exclusively from this tiny section of Seven Springs. The winemakers chose well, and the wine has intensity and a strong sense of place. Even more than the other Pinots made by Evening Land from this vineyard, Summum shows the minerality, intensity, and characteristic blackberry and currant notes this vineyard is known for.
2007 EVENING STAR (SEVEN SPRINGS) GAMAY NOIR...$17.95
Evening Lands Vineyards Celebration Gamay noir Seven Springs Vineyard is made from a small block of old vine Gamay noir in one of Oregon's best known vineyards.
Very limited
Intriguing and delicious dark fruit flavors and scents make Celebration an apt name for this old vine Gamay noir from Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills. Scents of blackberry, currant, and a hint of blackstrap molasses are restated in the flavor. Dark fruits, especially cassis/black currant, add depth to a refreshing, juicy wine. Hints of licorice and French Black Currant Pastilles accentuate the unique qualities of this immediately drinkable wine. You will never think of Beaujolais the same way again.
Evening Lands owner Mark Tarlov drinks this wine with French Fries. We agree. Celebration is a slurp-able crowd pleaser. Bring it out for football games and pair with a great burger (and don't forget Mark's fries!). I don't usually think of wine for tailgating, but Celebration converted even dedicated beer drinkers. (They drank it from mugs).
Like Beaujolais, it shares the quality of tasting great when chilled. It cut through the smoky fat of a T-bone, and even paired well with pulled pork sandwiches. You might think of Gamay noir as a summer wine. Don't limit yourself. Celebrate with Celebration this holiday season.
Famous British wine expert Jancis Robinson, OBE, Master of Wine (MW), and editor of the Oxford Companion to Wine, describes Celebration: "Very fresh Gamay nose with lovely pure fruit underneath. Again lots of acidity, like the Chardonnay, with a dry finish. Crunchy crisp. Seriously appetising. This would make a great summer drink and is yet another non-French Gamay that encourages us to look at Beaujolais again..."