Archery Summit
Located in the Red Hills alongside neighbors Domaine Serene, Domaine Drouhin, White Rose and other Willamette Valley greats, Archery Summit has a picturesque setting and some stunning new Pinots. Started by the Pine Ridge baron Gary Andrus, this estate relies on a variety of vineyards across the valley, as well as estate fruit. The winery itself is stunning and has an absolutely gorgeous cave setting for tasting. We were able to try the 2013 new releases from Archery in this reserve room that was recently remodeled and served as a gorgeous setting. The winery has six estate vineyards totaling 120 acres, with 5 vineyards in the red volcanic soil of the Dundee Hills AVA and 1 vineyard in the ancient sea bed of the adjacent Ribbon Ridge AVA. The vineyards are densely planted and meticulously tended to, implementing organic practices, as well as a biodynamic approach at one site. Moises Sotelo, the foreman who planted the estate vineyard in 1994, amazingly still tends to the vines. Winemaker Chris Mazepink came to the winery in 2013 and also currently serves as the general manager. Mazepink has a wealth of experience in the valley, starting at Lemelson Vineyards as assistant winemaker. He spent four years at Shea Wine Cellars before joining Benton Lane Winery as Director of Winemaking and Viticulture.
While I had not tasted at Archery for a few years, but having tried one of their 2012 releases, the most recent efforts were rich and impressive considering the vintage. There were many factors for their successes in 2013 but most notably their picking before the torrential rains served as a major factor. Overall the level of richness achieved in their wines reflected the warm summer of 2013. Their 2014 Pinot Gris offering was particularly enticing, considering the price point. That is a perfect summer wine for shellfish. The 2013 Arcus Estate was fantastic and rich, one of the best wines from 2013 that I have sampled this year. This layered and polished effort will age gracefully for decades. Similarly the Archery Summit estate has a high price point ($150.00) but is one of the best bottlings I’ve tried from the 2013 vintage. It has a silky texture and a wonderful range of fruit flavors, alongside serious terroir. You can find these expressive new release wines at archerysummit.com or Total Wines. #archerysummit
2014 Archery Summit Pinot Gris- This is sourced from the Eola Springs and Winters Hill vineyards. The Gris was whole cluster pressed before being transferred to stainless tanks. It has aromas of cut grass, cantaloupe and Bartlett pear. There are flavors of red delicious apple, Meyer lemon, and cantaloupe. This is lithe and refreshing with nice rich fruit flavors. Nice minerality that would pair beautifully with raw oysters. Drink 2015-2020- 91
2013 Archery Summit ‘Looney Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Pinot comes from Ribbon Ridge, located roughly six miles from the winery. The Looney Vineyard is from a 19 acre property from Ed and Darlene Looney. This is known for the Willakenzie soil, a marine, loose and gravely soil. Pommard, Wadenswil and Dijon clones 777, 667 and 115 are planted at the vineyard. The wine begins with aromas reminiscent of raspberry and blackberry with mushroom and forest floor on the nose. There are flavors of cran-cherry, Tangerine rind, mushroom, and a long and lingering finish. Lovely minerality, this needs time for the fruit to integrate. Drink 2017-2030- 92
2013 Archery Summit ‘Renegade Ridge Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This vineyard selection is a 980 case production wine. The vineyard itself is located on the right side of Archery Summit road, an 11 acre, Eastern facing vineyard. They have Dijon clones 777, 667, 14 and 115 planted there, as well as their own clone ASW2. The Pinot Noir was aged 9 months in 54% new French oak before being bottled in August 2014. The wine opens with aromas has of raspberry, cherry pie, mushroom and forest floor. There are flavors of cherry pie, raspberry, mushroom and wild blackberry. Delicious and lithe with nice stuffing. This is hard to resist right now but can improve with another year in the bottle. Drink 2016-2030- 93
2013 Archery Summit ‘Archer's Edge’ Pinot Noir- The fruit is taken from a small, 7 acre vineyard near the estate that was planted in 2007. The wine was aged 9 months in 44% new French oak prior to bottling in August 2014. The wine utilizes Dijon clones 667, 777 and 115. The Pinot opens with aromas of roasted figs, mushroom, forest floor and red cherry. There are flavors of cherry pie, cran-raspberry, cremini mushroom and a lovely long finish. This has lovely weight on the palate. This was harvested before the torrential rain during harvest and you can tell, considering the weight. This needs time for the fruit to fully integrate. Drink 2017-2030- 93
2013 Archery Summit ‘Archery Summit Estate’ Pinot Noir-This is the first planting here in 1991. There were preexisting vines at the vineyard that were torn down by the owner. This was also harvested before the rains of the 2013 harvest and utilizes Dijon clones 115 and 667 as well as Pommard clones. This was aged 8 months in 42% new French oak prior to being bottled in August 2014. This has aromas of oak, red cherry, nutmeg, raspberry and vanilla. There are flavors of cherry pie, mushroom, cran-raspberry, with lovely texture and weight. This is one of the best I’ve had from this vintage, as this utilizes the wonderful interplay between fruit and terroir. This is drinking nicely now but will improve with a couple of years in the bottle. Drink 2017-2030- 94
2013 Archery Summit ‘Arcus Estate’ Pinot Noir- This comes from a 39 acre vineyard. The name of this wine translates to 'bow' in Latin. There are many microclimates to this vineyard, as there's a 400 foot elevation change in the vineyard. Some of the vines predate to 1973. Aged 19 months in French oak (50% new) prior to being bottled in August 2014. This has aromas of black truffle, red raspberry and oak. There are flavors reminiscent of cran-raspberry, Tangerine rind, Bing cherry and vanilla. This has tremendous weight and texture. Try to resist this for a few more years. Drink 2017-2030- 94
2013 Archery Summit ‘Red Hills Estate’ Pinot Noir- This comes from a vineyard that neighbors Arcus, a 16 acre property. The wine was aged 10 months in 45% new French oak prior to being bottled in August 2014. The Pinot Noir from this estate ripens a bit later than Arcus and they lost 20% of the fruit from this estate in 2013 due to torrential rains during harvest. The wine opens with aromas of cherry pie, raspberry, vanilla and oak. There are flavors of raspberry, cran-orange, with a lovely mouthfeel and texture. Not quite the weight of the Arcus and Archery Summit Estate bottlings but lovely mouthfeel and minerality. Drink 2017-2030- 92