Julia Crowley's Wines

A small amount of Meriwether reserve Pinot Noir was added to this Methode Champenoise sparkling wine to give it a beautiful light salmon-pinkish color. Aromas and flavors of strawberries, raspberries, vanilla, caramel, and fresh baked bread are rounded out by a zesty acidic backbone. Elegant, yet complex, this is my favorite Oregon sparkling wine. Fermented in small lots in French Oak barrels, and spent a minimum of 6 years on the yeast - this sparkling wine is gorgeous and elegant in the glass and on the palate.

Back when I owned my win bar, I carried winemaker Ray Walsh's Capitello Brut in my shop. Thankfully, before putting my shop up for sale, I brought home several bottles of this delicious Methode Champenoise sparkling wine - saving a few for special occasions, ie: New Year's Eve. Coincidentally, three of the four sparkling wines we popped the cork on last night to ring in the new year have a tie to local winemaker Ray Walsh: He was the white winemaker at King Estate for many years, making them famous for Pinot Gris, before he began producing wine under his own label, Capitello. He not only currently makes wine under his own label, but he is also the winemaker for Domaine Meriwether. Ray is sort of the superstar winemaker of the south Willamette Valley. Anyway, the Capitello Brut has millions of amazing tiny bubbles that leap around the palate. This vibrant, lively sparkling wine has aromas and flavors of pears and apples with a nice long, palate pleasing finish.

Blanc de Noir is a French term for "white wine from red grapes." Although the varietal of red grape used to make this sparkling wine isn't listed, I'm assuming the winemaker used Pinot Noir since most of the fruit comes from their estate (and King Estate is located in the Willamette Valley). I enjoyed this sparkling wine in the last few minutes of 2012, alongside a plate full of Oregon Dungeness Crab and drawn butter. The pairing was ambrosial. Being aged sur lie for 26 months prior to riddling and disgorging, adds complexity to the honeycrisp apple and lemon zest aroma and flavors. The zesty lemon qualities are exactly why this sparkling wine was an immaculate match with Oregon Dungeness Crab.

This Pinot Noir showcases Oregon’s fruity berry and cherry aromas to perfection. On the palate, the berry, earth and pie spice flavors are truly seamless and flow effortlessly from front to back. Luscious, juicy and elegant, the finish is long with incredibly silky, smooth tannins. Extremely well balanced and positively enjoyable, this is so my kind of Pinot. I absolutely love it! Without a doubt, I’ll be popping the cork on one of these bottles come Thanksgiving. Cheers.

Aromas of dark cherries, marionberries and cinnamon follow through onto the palate with additional forest floor and pie spice flavors. Luscious and juicy mid-palate, the finish is lively and vibrant, and the balance between acidity and tannins is simply ambrosial. This is truly an excellent representation of the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley. Drink now because it’s incredible, but it is definitely age worthy if you have more will power than I do.

This Pinot is a gorgeous garnet hue in the glass. After decanting for about 45 minutes, vibrant cherry and savory earthy aromas followed through on the palate with the addition of golden raisins, pie spice and tobacco leaf – super juicy and luscious in the mouth. With excellent concentration and structure, this Pinot could age beautifully. But, it’s so delicious now that it’s not one I could easily hold on to.

Showcases bright fruit aromas like cranberries and cherries along with a tantalizing and alluring smokiness. Flavors of dark cherry, plums and earth with a hint of pepper on the lingering, juicy finish is down-right delicious. This is really enjoyable now, but has the structure to age a bit too. Another 2010 Pinot Noir from the North Willamette Valley that hits home with my palate, cheers.

Showcases gorgeous aromas of sweet, ripe pears and honey crisp apples. Velvety smooth in the mouth, flavors of lemon pie and butterscotch were rounded out with bright, lively acidity. Oregon Chardonnay at it's finest, love it!

Full-bodied, lush Chardonnay with aromas and flavors of pears, apples and butterscotch with flavors to match. Heavenly on the palate, silky smooth, well rounded, crisp, refreshing acidity. HELLO Oregon Chardonnay!