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Ovum Aligote 2022:
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the Producer’s website)
Varietal Composition Aligote
Location Elkton Oregon
Cases Produced 200
Drink Now or Cellar? Enjoy now or cellar through 2027
A Few More Details:
What grows together, GOES together–this win embodies that old world mentality. Umpqua River remnants inflect Aligote from this region with a briny mineral core that mimics the Pacific oysters that are raised just 30 miles to the west. The oyster shares a close characteristic with wine, in that they both reflect where they come from in how they taste. Both are conduits-vehicles-of a certain place and time.
Less than 30 miles from the Pacific, the Umpqua bends into the town of Elkton. The coastal mountain influence is an ideal climate for white wines of exceptional acidity such as this. Clay-loam soils sit atop a thick slab of sandstone. This soil combined with the alpine river valley microclimate to yield an Aligote of measured ripeness.
Tasting Notes
The 2022 Ovum Aligote smells like clean ocean air. You can almost feel the cold waters of the Umpqua River flowing through the wine. This is a texture- and palate-riven wine, at once lighter than air and richer than grass-fed butter at the same time. Hints of blueberry and green fig are hidden in the salty depths if you smell close enough.
Food Pairing
- Seafood: The wine’s acidity and fruit notes enhance dishes like oysters, shrimp, and grilled fish.
- Salads: Fresh greens with vinaigrette dressings pair well with the wine’s vibrant character.
- Cheeses: Soft, creamy cheeses such as goat cheese or mild Brie can harmonize with its texture and flavors.
- Poultry: Lightly seasoned chicken or turkey dishes can be elevated by the wine’s nuanced profile.
From them to you:
Established in 2011 by Ksenija and John House, Ovum was founded in hopes of producing Oregon wines that are honest reflections of time and place. Our low intervention production method is a commitment to letting the vintage and vineyard shine, not the vintner. Fruit comes first – our top priority is finding farmers that share our beliefs, and then getting out of the way so their hard work can be tasted.
At Ovum, each wine is produced the same way – if the wine smells and tastes different, it has everything to do with terroir, and little to do with the winemaker. Our hope is that through our attention to detail and honest technique, we can produce old fashioned wines in the modern world.
Source: https://ovumwines.com/
Adelsheim Breaking Ground Pinot Noir 2021
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the Producer’s website)
Varietal Composition Pinot Noir
Location Chehalem Mountains/Willamette Valley
Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar until 2030
A Few More Details:
Adelsheim purchased its first vineyard property in the Chehalem Mountains in 1971 and built the region’s first winery in 1978. Breaking Ground celebrates Adelsheim’s commitment to the Chehalem Mountains, and is made entirely from LIVE-certified fruit grown in the three major soil types found here.
Tasting Notes from the Producer:
HIBISCUS | CINNAMON BARK | ELEGANT
‘What a lovely expression of Breaking Ground! This wine is sleek and elegant, redolent of hibiscus tea, fresh cherry, cinnamon bark, and nutmeg. These aromas are echoed on the palate and framed by finessed, fine-grained tannins. I will drink this wine with everything.’
-Gina Hennen, Winemaker
Food Pairing
- Roasted Duck or Chicken: The wine’s medium body and light tannins harmonize with the richness of roasted poultry, enhancing both the dish and the wine.
- Grilled Salmon or Tuna: The wine’s acidity and red fruit notes balance the oiliness of fatty fish, making for a delightful pairing.
- Mushroom Risotto: The earthy flavors of mushrooms resonate with the wine’s spice and fruit characteristics, creating a balanced and satisfying combination.
- Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin: The savory herbs and tender pork complement the wine’s nuanced spice and cherry notes.
- Soft Cheeses: Varieties like Brie or Camembert can enhance the wine’s elegance without overpowering its delicate flavors.
From them to you:
Tucked away in the Chehalem Mountains, we’re a little off the beaten path. But we like it that way. Located in the northern Willamette Valley, we believe the Chehalem Mountains has always been an area ripe with possibility. That’s why we planted our first vineyard here and established the first winery here in 1972 – when the Willamette Valley was nothing more than a sleepy hamlet of rolling hills scattered with small farms and acres of open fields.
Today, the Chehalem Mountains region is still rural and idyllic. Vineyards and world-class wineries are surrounded by lush farm and agricultural land, and are often hidden by old growth fir forests. On a drive to Adelsheim, you’ll see alpacas, horses, goats, and even donkeys (as well as lots of other fauna)!
We now own 368 acres of land, with vineyards planted in 174 of those acres. Our estate sites, like the geography of the Chehalem Mountains, are diverse – some big, some small, some at higher elevations, some at lower elevations, some on volcanic soils, some on sedimentary soils.
West Seattle Wine Cellars 