One of the standout wineries in the Willamette Valley, I recently had the chance to visit Brian and Clare at their farm. Visiting during harvest was probably not the best time for them but they graciously guided me through a pretty insane tasting lineup. Head winemaker Brian Carver has crafted some absolutely incredible new release Pinot Noirs. Brian sources from different vineyards across the Willamette Valley. The new 2014 Pinot Noirs sing with wonderful personality and Burgundian elegance and his overall tasting lineup is clearly one of the best in the valley. Brian has previously worked for some highly esteemed properties like Marcassan and Neyers in the past. He is an insanely talented winemaker and a super cool, down to earth guy.
Easily one of the best Rose wines that I have sampled in the past year from the Pacific Northwest, the 2015 Big Table Farm ‘The Laughing Pig’ Rose (WWB, 93) would pair insanely well with turkey and shows a tremendous range of red fruit flavors, alongside wonderful minerality. Another stunner is the 2014 Big Table Farm ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which is a tremendous value and offers depth and complexity at an incredibly good price. This is one to buy by the case. Finally, look for the 2014 Big Table Farm ‘Sunnyside Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) which is also just an insane value in the Oregon Pinot market. This wine offers a striking combination of Burdundian, earthy tones, while still showing ripe red fruit flavors. Learn more about Big Table Farm at http://www.bigtablefarm.com/ Here are the fantastic new release wines by Big Table Farm.
2015 Big Table Farm ‘The Laughing Pig’ Rose- Exceedingly delicious, as well as vibrant and intense, this is the best Rose wine that I have sampled this year from the Willamette Valley. The wine begins with dense aromatics of red cherry, red raspberry, guava and hints of wild mushroom. There are deep flavors of cherry starburst candy, red raspberry, guava puree and hints of teaberry. Energetic and engaging, this wine has some serious weight on the mid-palate. Drink 2016-2021- 93
2015 Big Table Farm ‘Wirtz Vineyard’ Pinot Gris- This pale pink colored wine is a delight to savor right now. The wine begins with a bouquet of orange blossom, pink grapefruit, white flowers and hints of cardemon. The wine has flavors of white peach, mango, baked Gravenstein apple and a polished finish. This has lovely weight on the mid-palate and a lively mineral streak despite the heat of the vintage. Drink 2016-2022-92
2015 Big Table Farm ‘Edelzwicker’ White Wine- This excellent white wine is sourced from older blocks of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris at the Wirtz Vineyard. Having aromatics of white peach, lemon blossom, saffron and hints of mint, this effervescent wine yields flavors of Granny Smith apple, unripe pear, nectarine rind and hints of lemon zest. Complex and exceedingly delicious, this has nice poise for the vintage. Drink 2016-2020- 91
2014 Big Table Farm ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir- This excellent bottling is sourced from the Coats and Whitney vineyard as well as the Kalita Vineyard, which are both farmed by Daniel Fey. Dense and deep aromatically and needing at least a one hour decant to settle, this impressive bottling opens with an aromatic core of rose petals, black truffle crudo, red cherry, and suggestions of guava with stewed strawberry. The palate has lively flavors reminiscent of red cherry, orange rind, lavender, cran-raspberry, pomegranate seed and nutmeg. This is polished wine that has a seamless quality and a smooth, plush mouthfeel. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2014 Big Table Farm ‘Wirtz Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 40 year old Wirtz Vineyard utilizes the Coury clone of Pinot Noir. Exceedingly translucent considering the vintage, this wine opens with aromatics of red cherry, red raspberry, crushed wildflowers and hints of nutmeg. There are flavors of red cherry, red raspberry, guava puree and baking spices. The texture is lovely, as this this glides across the mid-palate. Only 367 cases made of this excellent Pinot. Drink 2016-2026- 92
2014 Big Table Farm ‘Sunnyside Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Earthy, terroir driven and hugely Burgundian, the 2014 Big Table Farm ‘Sunnyside Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous new release wine from superstar winemaker Brian Marcy. The wine opens with a bouquet of black truffle oil, forest floor, cedar, black cherry and hints of Kalamata olive. There are rich flavors of black cherry, black truffle crudo, raspberry torte and suggestions of forest floor and Tangerine rind. The range of aromatics and flavors at play are absolutely gorgeous. This wine is an absolutely stunner from Big Table Farm. Drink 2016-2028- 94
2014 Big Table Farm ‘Cattrall Brothers Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This Eola-Amity Hills AVA property is run by Tom and Bill Cattrall, who have utilized Wadenswil clone Pinot Noir for their vineyard. This expressive Pinot Noir wine opens with a bouquet of wild mushroom stew, forest floor, smoke, black raspberry and wild blackberry jam. There are dense flavors of red cherry, cran-pomegranate, orange rind, and black truffle oil that sit along lively minerality. The finish is exceedingly long to this polished and beautifully textured Pinot Noir. Drink 2016-2029- 94