Ayoub
Mo Ayoub has some top class wines. Planted in 2001 the Ayoub Vineyard was Mo Ayoub’s vision to make outstanding Oregon Pinot Noir. Since 2004, Mo has been producing beautifully balanced wines with great aging potential. Having a culinary background, Mo’s wines show tremendous poise and have a Burgundian feel, yet maintain a wonderful richness. The first few Ayoub wines were made by Josh Bergstrom and wines are now made by Mo Ayoub and consulting winemaker Robert Brittan. They form one of the great winemaking teams in the Willamette Valley. Now to the wines. . .
The new lineup is absolutely not to be missed even for the most discerning wine collector. A downright stunning new Chardonnay is their 2016 Ayoub Vineyards Chardonnay (WWB, 94) which is one of the top Chardonnays from the valley that I have reviewed in the past year. This has gorgeous minerality and intensity. Just as good and sourced from the Willamette Valley’s great vineyards, the 2016 Ayoub Vineyards ‘Brittan Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) combines a sterling tension with wonderful stony quality. This is one not to be missed. Learn more about these really outstanding wines at https://www.ayoubwines.com Here are the great wines by Ayoub.
2016 Ayoub Chardonnay- The 2016 Ayoub Chardonnay is a standout wine from this exciting vintage that throughly impresses. This immediately starts off with inviting aromatics of lemon oil, baked apple and suggestions of apricot jelly. The palate is lithe and luscious, revealing lemon merriange, banana and roasted pineapple flavors. Exotic and layered, this Chardonnay from winemaker Mo Ayoub is simply stunning. Drink 2018-2028- 94
2016 Ayoub ‘Memoirs’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from a host of great Willamette Valley vineyards, this deep colored Pinot starts off with intense aromas of black tea, wild blackberry sauce and suggestions of peat moss, showing earthy undertones. The wine has some Burgundian earthy character alongside the wonderful dark fruits. With sterling minerality, this is a winner by Ayoub and the talented hands of winemaker Mo Ayoub. Drink 2018-2030- 93
2016 Ayoub ‘Anonimo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This deep hued wine starts off with a ripe bouquet of cloves, smoked pork shoulder and suggestions of blackberry cordial, as this has amazing aromatic range. The palate has insane mineral content. Highly focused, the laser-like minerality cuts through black tea, blackberry pie and cran-cherry. Intense and wonderfully poised, this is another stunning bottling by Ayoub. The lip-smacking acidity towards the back end drives this fantastic wine. Drink 2018-2030- 94
2016 Ayoub ‘Brittan Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from one of the great sites in the southern Willamette Valley, the Brittan Vineyard is set on broken basalt, imparting a wonderful stony aspect in the wines. Crushed wet rock fills the nose with red and dark fruits. The tension in the wine is simply gorgeous, as this has a Burgundian feel. Dark cherry, loganberry preserves, forest floor and black truffle shaving flavors fill the glass. This is another remarkable Pinot Noir by superstar winemaker Mo Ayoub. Drink 2018-2033- 94
2016 Ayoub ‘Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Needing more than an hour decant, this slowly unveils gorgeous aromatics reminiscent of cranberries, cherries, pomegranate seed, black truffle oil and damp earth which you constantly back to the glass for more. On the palate there is a wonderful purity of fruit at play with a core of red cherry preserves, blood orange zest and white truffle flavors which persist through the finish. Overall, a sensational Pinot Noir which should age beautifully for years to come Drink 2018-2032- 94