As I write this I pour a small amount of wine out for one of the great Oregon winemakers who sadly passed away last year, Jesus Guillen. Jesus had a smile that would light up a room and his wines would brighten all the faces that would come by their cozy Dundee Hills tasting room. One of my most fond memories was sitting in the tasting room and talking with Jesus and his brother about one of the great wines that Jesus made, his 2012 White Rose ‘Winemaker’s Cuvee’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 95) which was a decadent, downright stunner of a wine. I spent many fond times at White Rose prior to starting Washington Wine Blog. While these wines are made by Jesus, there is a new winemaker at White Rose, Tresider Burns. Tresider comes from Brittan Vineyard pedigree, having trained under eminent winemaker Robert Brittan.
The new release wines by White Rose are simply stunning across the board. The 2017 White Rose ‘Winemaker’s Cuvee’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) has intoxicating range and seriously good texture. Just as good was the 2017 White Rose ‘Guillen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) a simply beautiful wine that has incredible range from fruits to peat moss and chocolate. Learn more about White Rose at https://whiteroseestate.com and if you are feeling generous, please donate to the family of Jesus Guillen here: https://www.gofundme.com/jesus-guillen
2017 White Rose ‘The Neo-Classical Objective’ Pinot Noir- Translucent in the glass, the 2017 ‘The Neo-Classical Objective’ opens with tart red berry aromas with citrus rind and wet stone accents that line this expressive nose. The palate comes off quite fresh with good mid-palate weight, delivering copious red fruit and shades of Mandarin orange zest on the palate. This finishes exceedingly long. While enticing in its youth, this has at least another decade to go. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2017 White Rose ‘Winemaker’s Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Winemaker’s Cuvee’ is a stellar bottling made by the late Jesus Guillen. The nose has marvelous teaberry with cran-orange and wet stone character that all build nicely in the glass. The rather intoxicating aromatics bring you back to the glass for more pleasure. The beautiful texture truly entices as red currant jelly, rose water and stony and earthy undertones all collide on the palate. Fantastic now in its youth, this beautiful wine will continue to develop over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2033- 93
2017 White Rose ‘White Rose Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘White Rose Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a stellar effort from this storied estate located in the Dundee Hills. A great combination of dark and red fruits greet you as you savor this seductive nose. The palate is both lithe and rich, revealing a soft, near seamless texture. Black and red fruits dance with minerals and stony undertones on this seductive palate. Highly gratifying in its youth, this will evolve well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 93
2017 White Rose ‘Guillen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Guillen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is another outstanding effort from the talented hands of late winemaker Jesus Guillen. The nose shows bight teaberry and strawberry with earthy undertone aromatics that all shine brightly once in the glass. Round and generous, the silky texture gives this wine beautiful definition. With light stone accents, bright guava, strawberry and bing cherry flavors connect with shades of chocolate and peat moss. Complex and every bit delicious in its youth, this will evolve well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 93