One of the great historic Oregon wineries, Kramer Vineyards was first founded in 1983 when Trudy and Keith Kramer purchased a 60 acre property in the Yamhill-Carlton appellation. The Kramer family eventually planted 22 acres of vines for their estate vineyard. They have a really unique set of varietals planted including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Müller-Thurgau, Carmine, Muscat, Pinot Meunier and Grüner Veltliner. All the obscure varietal wines are beautifully astringent and very well-made, particularly the intriguing almost beguiling Muller-Thurgau. Kim Kramer, daughter to Trudy and Keith Kramer, serves as winemaker. She is very talented as I interviewed her last year. Kim has been making some great still and sparkling wines for a decade and has previously worked in Burgundy as well as St. Innocent. Keith Kramer continues to serve as vineyard manager.
Keith Kramer continues to serve as vineyard manager at Kramer Vineyards.
Kim creates some great tension in her wines. Check out the 2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘Estate’ Riesling (WWB, 90) which has the wonderful tension which was a challenge for winemakers in this warm vintage. This is a killer bottling. I adored the 2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 91) which shows bright red fruits and good minerality. Learn more about this outstanding producer at kramervineyards.com Here are the exciting new release wines by Kramer Vineyards.
2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘Estate’ Muller-Thurgau- The wine has a wonderful astringency on the nose with green apple and lemongrass showing vividly. Slightly sweet, with good acidity, this has pear, peach and lychee flavors that sit alongside the minerals. Drink 2018-2022- 89
2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘’Estate’ Riesling- Bright and mineral driven, this is an outstanding effort by Kim Kramer, winemaker at Kramer Vineyards. Lovely peach, green apple and wet stone flavors connect with the tension. With a touch of sweetness, this will cellar well over the next five to ten years. Drink 2018-2026- 90
2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- Gravenstein apple, nutmeg and hazelnut aromas impress. Honeydew melon and Pink Lady apple flavors connect with a light sweetness. This finishes strong with vanilla cream. Drink 2018-2024- 89
2016 Kramer Vineyards ‘Estate’ Pinot Gris- Bright starfruit and nectarine aromatics fill the glass. Dry, with nice length, the wine shows off white flower, starfruit and green apple flavors with solid acidity. Drink 2018-2022- 89
2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- This ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir begins with perfumed aromas of red cherry, loganberry and citrus rind. There is a wonderful citrus finish to this wine that shows a lively array of red fruit flavors. This is elegant and downright delicious. Drink 2018-2025- 90
2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir- Weighing in at 13.5% alcohol, this starts off with lighter aromas of blood orange rind, with earthy undertones connecting on the nose. Elegant and very feminine, there is a lot to like with this wine that shows red currant, red cherry and peat moss flavors. A gorgeous pairing for roasted salmon, this wine can be cellared for ten years or more. Only 125 cases of this great wine. Drink 2018-2028- 91
2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘Cardiac Hill’ Pinot Noir- The Cardiac Hill Vineyard is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The nose is wonderfully earthy with peat moss and white truffle tones shining through. Beautifully balanced, the wine showcases red fruits mingling with citrus rind and a strong acidity. Give this outstanding wine at least an hour decant prior to enjoying. Drink 2018-2028- 91
2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘Rebecca’s Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Rebecca’s Reserve’ opens with a bouquet of black truffle, forest floor and black fruits on the nose. The palate shows an outstanding minerality and mouthfeel. Black cherry, cola, peat moss and white truffle flavors connect with the tension. This is every bit outstanding, kudos to Kim Kramer. Drink 2018-2028- 92
2015 Kramer Vineyards ‘Heritage’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from estate vines first planted in 1984, this outstanding new release begins with bright aromas of peat moss, orange zest and red currant. Bright and wonderfully balanced, the wine shows off red and dark fruits with earthy undertones and good tension. Drink 2018-2028- 91