The three partners in this new venture have decades of winemaking experience among them, and it shows. With 15% Grenache blended in, the result is a ripe, lightly funky, spicy rendition of Syrah that nicely marries the earthiness to racy wild-berry flavors and a peppery finish. Great length.
— P.G.
(7/1/2012)
The pretty nose is richly scented with fresh, crisp grapefruit. There is also a hint of petrol and a peppery, rye-seed component. This is stylish and long, and the fruit is clean and deep. The spicy finish leaves you longing for another sip.
— P.G.
(8/1/2012)
A blend of eight different Syrah clones and a splash of Grenache, this is dark and sappy, with dense veins of citrus oil, licorice, coffee liqueur and black tea that are anchored by a solid black-cherry flavor. This should drink well for a decade or longer.
— P.G.
(4/1/2013)
This is a first-rate Oregon Pinot Gris made with fruit sourced from the Methven Vineyard. Crisp and steely, it’s a mix of cucumber and honeydew melon fruit, with bracing acidity and excellent length.
— P.G.
(3/1/2013)
All the Eight Bells wines show attention to cleanliness and varietal expression. This has a ripe apple flavor, with a lick of minerality on the finish.
— P.G.
(7/1/2012)
This has pretty fruit flavors of plums and spicy black cherries. At first the wine seems sharp and slightly warm, but it mellows with air.
— P.G.
(7/1/2012)
Made from grapes planted in 2006, this Syrah reflects its young-vine fruit in the form of light, primary, somewhat grapy flavors. It shows traces of herb and tobacco, which are balanced by tannins. All in all, this a promising start for this new vineyard block.
— P.G.
(4/1/2013)
This young, grapy wine has buoyant flavors of raspberry jam. It needs more time, but the fruit is excellent; the finish just a little warm.
— P.G.
(7/1/2012)