A great boutique winery out of Oregon, Fullerton was founded in 2012 by Eric and Susanne Fullerton. Head winemaker Alex Fullerton heads the 4500 case production winery, crafting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Alex has previously worked as Penner-Ash, as well as Drylands in New Zealand. He began making his own wine out of his garage in 2011. The tasting room is located in Northwest Portland.
I think that the latest edition of releases might be the best from them. These collectible wines were sensational across the board. The 2018 Fullerton ‘Montazi Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) beautifully showcases this great site. The salty terroir and mouth-watering acidity is really fantastic. Loved the 2018 Fullerton ‘Fir Crest Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which has awesome finesse nd range, from red and black fruits to pine needles. Learn more about these awesome new wines at http://www.fullertonwines.com Here are the great new releases from Fullerton Wines:
2018 Fullerton ‘Momtazi Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- One of the unique sites in the Willamette Valley, the ‘Momtazi Vineyard’ was planted on two separate soil types by Oregon legend Mo Momtazi. The 2018 edition of this wine shows great aromatic range from red florals to red currants and salty soils alongside orange rind and peat moss tones that all sing in unison. The palate is full of mouth-watering acidity, leading to bright red fruits that dance with forest floor and orange rind tones, with firm tannins holding everything in place. The long finish adds to the enjoyment as the beautiful 2018 ‘Momtazi Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2018 Fullerton ‘Fir Crest Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Nestled in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the ‘Fir Crest Vineyard’ has old vine Pinot Noir (clone 115 and Pommard) that is set on Willakenie soils. The dark fruit profile on the nose entices with wild blackberry and huckleberry alongside peat moss and shades of dark truffle crudo. The palate is beautifully balanced with bright acidity and a silky mouthfeel. Your mouth literally waters as you taste through the core of dark fruit flavors alongside minerals, smoke, pine needles and shades of cloves. Great to enjoy in its youth, the 2018 ‘Fir Crest Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2018 Fullerton ‘Lichtenwalter Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Lichtenwalter Vineyard’ is a south-facing site located in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Bright red fruits and violet tones combine with shades of baking spices and blood orange rind on the nose. The palate is soft and generous with its pillowy texture. Red currants and red raspberry tones combine with baking spices, peat moss and shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Great to enjoy now, this has the structure and weight to cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2018 Fullerton ‘Bella Vida Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Locared in the Dundee Hills AVA, the ‘Bella Vida Vineyard’ is planted to clones 113, 667 and 777, set on volcanic soils. Once on the nose this takes on a wonderful whiff of volcanic earth, with white pepper, red currants, orange rind and red cherry candy tones alongside damp earth on this complex bouquet. The palate is fresh and elegant with a soft mouthfeel. Pretty red fruits dance with citrus rind, damp earth and shades of white truffle with pie crust tones on the palate. Gorgeous in its youth, this will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another ten years. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2018 Fullerton ‘Brutus’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Brutus’ is a limited production (70 cases) production of Pommard. Clone wine from the ‘Fir Crest Vineyard.’ The wine does come off quite big once on the mouth, with its rich texture. Layers of boysenberry preserves, cigar ash, black tea and exotic spices all fill the palate, with orange rind and pine needle flavors all providing intrigue. Despite the large amount of whole cluster fermentation (75%), this is already quite beautifully evolved now. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2018 Fullerton ‘Bjornson Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- I’ll admit that this is my first soiree into this vineyard which is located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The nose is super high-toned with red rose petals and shades of orange blossom that combine with the core of red fruits. The palate is refined and elegant with pretty red fruits that dance with blood orange zest, peat moss and baking spices. Nicely textured, this has the length and acidity to last for at least another ten years. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Fullerton ‘Arborbrook Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Arborbrook Vineyard’ is set in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, as this wine utilizes clones 115, 667, 777, Pommard and Coury. The palate is fresh and refined with a silky texture. Bright orange zest and cigar box tones collide with Bing cherry, pomegranate seed, peat moss and firm tannins that hold everything together. The length of the wine is pretty appealing. Glorious to enjoy in its youth, the 2018 ‘Arborbrook Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will cellar well over the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Fullerton ‘Croft Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Croft Vineyard’ Pinot Noir utilizes clones 115, 777, Pommard and Wadenswil, as this site is known for the maritime effect coming from cool Pacific breezes. Fresh and vibrant, this has a terrific veil of tension that races through the core of the wine. Black raspberry and wild blackberry tones mingle with minerals, smoky undertones and shades of peat moss on the palate. Fabulous to savor now, this will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2033- 93