Hello and Welcome,
While masks are all that have
been called for in Oregon, other jurisdictions of the US are taking a more
authoritarian or “Full Body” approach to your Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) i.e. the “FBC-PPE.” You are free to choose your own PPE. In farming we
say, “If it looks stupid but it works, it is not stupid.” Certainly, we are not
here to judge.
Meanwhile spring has sprung, and
we have a new A-List release, the 2019 Dijon Clones Chardonnay! The winery will
be open for wine pickups and perhaps a bit of tasting from 10 am through 3 pm
on Saturday and Sunday, May 2nd and 3rd.
Look for an E-vite from Dena to
schedule your pickup time. You can also request any last-minute wine needs to
replenish the Oregon section of your Adult Recreational Beverage cellar and
read the latest updates on any socially unacceptable behavior. We look forward
to seeing you and your choice of PPE.
If you need ground transportation
(UPS or FedEx) to co-locate with your wine, we can make that happen. The outer
box will be inconspicuous brown cardboard. Each bottle in your order will come
individually wrapped in its own PPE. We recommend setting the bottles upright
and at the correct temperature for a minimum of 24 hours before opening them.
Visit Amalie
Robert Direct to place your order, discretely.
Let’s get right into it. We are very
proud to introduce to you our estate grown 2019 Dijon Clones Chardonnay! Kinda
rocks your world, we know. Here is what didn’t change. Ernie still grows this
wine in block 24. The block still has 1,089 vines of Dijon Clones Chardonnay,
with the field blend favoring clone 76 over 95. The rootstock is still that
mother of all rootstocks, 5C. And yes, we still produce the BFC Heirloom Cameo.
Starting to feel the hairs on the back of your neck relax, maybe just a bit?
Besides, how can you have Champagne
Deconstructed without Chardonnay? If you have time for a little home
schooling, pick up a six pack of Champagne Deconstructed. Your order will
contain 2 bottles each of 2019 Dijon Clones Chardonnay, 2018 Pinot Meunier and
2012 iPinot Pinot Noir, complete with examination sheets. Don't delay, order yours today and shipping will be included through
Mother's Day!
So, what’s new about the 2019
Dijon Clones Chardonnay? We have retired the Her Silhouette fanciful name in
favor of a more informative name. The Dijon Clones of Chardonnay are the new
vines on the block. The vines were brought into Oregon direct from Burgundy
just about the time we were establishing the vineyard at Amalie Robert Estate.
And they make a damn fine wine. It also
The primary fermentation of sugar
to alcohol is still done without oak influence. Stylistically, the Her
Silhouette was colloquially known as “No Oak, No Malo”. We have moved on. And
you can too! All it takes is a little bacterium and all of that malic acid
becomes lactic acid. If that sounds yummy, it’s because it is. Lactic acid is
the acid in goat's milk, and you get yummy goat cheese from goat's milk. Malic
acid is from your granny’s “screamin’ greenies” green apples that she grew out
on Boone’s Farm road. Remember her? That was before cellphones, and cellphone
cameras, fortunately.
The Malo to Lactic (ML)
conversion happens virtually all the time in red wines. In white wines
winemakers typically have a choice to encourage or discourage this conversion.
Mistakes (known as uncontrolled experiments or, sometimes, successful failures)
happen all the time in winemaking. In some circumstances, you will have the ML
conversion whether you want it or not. The opposite is also true. You can wish
in one hand and wait in the other, but it’s just not going to happen. Maybe
next year, but that’s a long time to wait.
We made the stylistic (and
intentional) choice to change our ML program in 2019. Over the last 20 years or
so, we have noticed our site affords a bit of a Sancerre expression in our
Chardonnay that provides some intrigue. Ernie wanted to try and expand on that,
while better integrating and softening the screamin' greenie experience. That,
and Dena said we are not planting any Sauvignon Blanc.
So as part of our unquenchable
thirst for knowledge and unabated appetite for risk, Ernie said, “What the
Hell, let’s give it a try!” And that is how we arrived at the 2019 Dijon Clones
Chardonnay - "No Oak, Full Malo".
Tasting Notes: Cold Fusion Yellow
releases Meyer lemon zest, star fruit and guava aromas delineating an
unadulterated and pure expression of Dijon Clones Chardonnay. Integrated,
viscous and expansive, the mid-palate is wholly enveloped with a lingering
silken texture before the smooth and palate cleansing delivery of tempered
acidity.
Culinary Inclination: Poached
black cod or shark (if you are a little slow working the reel), in parchment
with julienned green onions, fresh sliced ginger root, enoki mushrooms and
artichoke heart. Add a thin slice of Habanero pepper if you want to add some
color to your dining companion’s complexion.
Vintage Notes: It all comes down
to September. It used to be October, but things have changed and as farmers we
are along for the ride. Vintage 2019 was a moderate growing season with
adequate amounts of sun, wind, rain and wind all properly folded into the mix.
Until September. That’s when we recorded a record amount of rainfall from the
beginning to the end of the month. Of course, it was just lovely from there on out
and that is when we were out Cluster Plucking. Read all about The Great Cluster
Pluck on the FLOG!
Fill out the RSVP on your E-vite
for a time to come by and have a taste. Or maybe just gaze longingly at the
label until you can get one home, squeeze out the cork and have a swig! Note:
we do have a few Home Tasting Kits still available (including PPE stemware) if
you are uncomfortable drinking straight out of the bottle. As with all PPE, get
it while you can. And there is still a free cork in every bottle!
Kindest Regards,
Dena & Ernie
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