2016 Brandborg Vineyard Fleur de Lis White Pinot noir
Ferris Wheel Estate Vineyard
Elkton Oregon
Umpqua Valley
Southern Oregon
Oregon
14.5% alcohol
Screwcap closure
313 cases produced
Live-certified and salmon safe
In case you’re not familiar with the Elkton Oregon AVA, it’s a very small area that hugs a section of the winding Umpqua River shortly before it reaches the Pacific Ocean. It was created in 2013 and named after the town of Elkton, home to fewer than 200 people. Terry and Sue Brandborg, two folks within that population count, were instrumental in getting this appellation designated!
Let me explain the AVA situation since it’s a wee bit complicated. The Elkton Oregon AVA is fully within the Umpqua Valley AVA, which is fully within the Southern Oregon AVA. We really do love our AVAs in Oregon! Each one has different attributes that wine drinkers should pay close attention to since these make them unique. For example, cooler climate varietals thrive in the Elkton Oregon AVA– including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot gris and Pinot noir. And those are the wines the Brandborgs’ lovingly shepherd from vineyard to bottle.
Color:
White onion peel
Bouquet and Palate:
Since Pinot noir is a red grape, making a white Pinot noir requires gentle pressing and minimal skin contact, so the color doesn’t saturate the finished wine (otherwise it would become a regular Pinot noir). With fruit notes of ripe strawberries, rainier cherries, peaches, and prominent lemon zest, a secondary layer of minerally gravel dust and earthy strawberry leaves emerge with a second, contemplative sip. Terry used neutral French oak barrels and one new French oak puncheon to improve this wine’s ageability. It is refreshingly tart with a long finish and is tasting lovely right now! I suggest stocking up to help get you through the rest of the coronavirus pandemic.
Food pairing suggestions:
According to Brandborg Vineyard, drink this wine with sautéed sole in a cream sauce or chicken with a five-spice rub off of the grill. I would also encourage you to pop a bottle open on Thanksgiving since it would go great with turkey and all the fixings.
SRP $27
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About the Author: Michele Francisco
