Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Sourced from two own-rooted vineyards, the 2023 Riesling Ara is pale straw/yellow and vibrant with nectarine, lime, petrol, wet stones, and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied and zesty, it shows impressive concentration and precision, finishing long with electric acidity.
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Vinous
The 2023 Riesling Ara is youthfully coy, mixing nuances of mint, sage, crushed stone and nectarine to form its delicate bouquet. Silken in feel, it displays incredible depth, with masses of tart citrus and green apple intensity enhanced by savory herbal tones, all supported by a core of stimulating acidity. The finish is quite long, echoing sour melon over a saline concentration that adds crunchy persistence. While some will take pleasure in enjoying the Ara today, it will be at its best after a few years of cellaring. Easily one of the most exciting Rieslings I have ever tasted from Oregon.
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James Suckling
It’s hard to get past the nose of this great dry riesling because of the way the Amalfi lemon, white peach and floral aromas are intertwined. Then comes the concentrated, super-minerally, medium-bodied palate. Great racy drive and mineral energy in the long and crystalline finish. Limited production.
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.