Brooks Ara Riesling 2012
-
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Mouth coating viscosity, ethereal texture, delicious with bright acidity. This Riesling is stunning both for the clean precision and also for the structure and depth of the perfectly ripe fruit. A slight nuttiness similar to the nose with toasted almonds, hazelnut and macadamia, with ripe fruit flavors of pear, red apple and melon. It has forward fruit and lushness, but also a clean refreshing brightfinish.
This is a wine you could serve with pork, roast chicken, grilled fish, sausages, or a fruit salad. Such possibilities and endless pairing opportunities!
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Riesling Ara comes from the estate vineyard and a second in the Yamhill area. The bouquet is very attractive with scents of nectarine, blood orange and honeysuckle aromas that are very intense and well defined. The palate is brisk on the entry with a fine bead of acidity that cuts through the slightly viscous texture. There is great weight and real energy here, getting to the essence of Riesling better than many Oregon Rieslings that I have encountered. Excellent.
Other Vintages
2021-
James
Suckling -
Wine &
Spirits -
Jeb
Dunnuck
-
Wine &
Spirits
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine &
Spirits
-
Wine &
Spirits -
Robert
Parker
-
Wilfred
Wong
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
One of Pinot Noir's most successful New World outposts, the Willamette Valley is the largest and most important AVA in Oregon. With a continental climate moderated by the influence of the Pacific Ocean, it is perfect for cool-climate viticulture and the production of elegant wines.
Mountain ranges bordering three sides of the valley, particularly the Chehalem Mountains, provide the option for higher-elevation vineyard sites.
The valley's three prominent soil types (volcanic, sedimentary and silty, loess) make it unique and create significant differences in wine styles among its vineyards and sub-AVAs. The iron-rich, basalt-based, Jory volcanic soils found commonly in the Dundee Hills are rich in clay and hold water well; the chalky, sedimentary soils of Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton and McMinnville encourage complex root systems as vines struggle to search for water and minerals. In the most southern stretch of the Willamette, the Eola-Amity Hills sub-AVA soils are mixed, shallow and well-drained. The Hills' close proximity to the Van Duzer Corridor (which became its own appellation as of 2019) also creates grapes with great concentration and firm acidity, leading to wines that perfectly express both power and grace.
Though Pinot noir enjoys the limelight here, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay also thrive in the Willamette. Increasing curiosity has risen recently in the potential of others like Grüner Veltliner, Chenin Blanc and Gamay.