One of the great Oregon estates that was founded back in 1971, Adelsheim’s roots began in the north of the Willamette Valley in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Visionary David Adelsheim had previously worked in Beaune as well as The Eyrie Vineyards before starting his own winery in Oregon. Having spent time in Burgundy, he saw the potential for producing Pinot Noir in Oregon. Today Adelsheim now owns nearly 200 acres of land, with 180 acres of vineyards as they produce a brilliant range of wines — from Rose to stony Pinot Noir. Vineyard sites range from high elevation to low elevation, as well as volcanic and sedimentary soils.
Last year I visited with their head winemaker, Gina Hennen, who has been at Adelsheim for 11 years, starting in the cellar and working her way up. Gina previously worked as semiconductor engineer for seven years in both Oregon and Dublin, Ireland. A former graduate of Reed College, Gina knew that her roots were in the Pacific Northwest and found her calling in winemaking.
Her new wines were brilliant across the board. I was very impressed with her 2017 Adelsheim ‘Staking Ground’ Chardonnay (WWB, 93) which has awesome richness and tension with earthy undertones. I was really impressed by her 2017 Adelsheim ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which has soft red fruits and a silky texture, with marvelous terroir. Learn more about these beautiful new releases at http://www.adelsheim.com Here are the excellent new release wines by Adelsheim.
2017 Adelsheim ‘Staking Claim’ Chardonnay- The ‘Staking Claim’ Chardonnay shows pear and marzipan tones that connect with the shades of wild mushroom on this expressive nose. The palate has great freshness and verve with bright lemon zest flavors that collide with vanilla cream and nutmeg infused sourdough bread. A complete wine, this is absolutely sensational in its youth and will cellar well for a decade or more to come. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2017 Adelsheim ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The largest of Adelsheim’s estate vineyards, the ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ is a 60 acre parcel located in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Starfruit and toasted Macadamia nut with shades of challah bread all combine on the nose. The palate is rich and layered with a soft mouthfeel and a vibrant sense of minerality. The exceedingly long finish lingers. A striking effort, the 2017 ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ Chardonnay will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2017 Adelsheim ‘Chehalem Mountains’ Pinot Noir- Another great release from this storied estate, the 2017 Adelsheim ‘Chehalem Mountains’ Pinot Noir opens with a bouquet of red rose petals alongside guava and cran-orange tones that round out the impressive aromatics. Ripe and generous, the wine unveils its soft texture. Forward red fruits connect with minerals and a lasting finish. This is seriously good stuff for the price. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2016 Adelsheim ‘Breaking Ground’ Pinot Noir- Every bit outstanding, the 2016 ‘Breaking Ground’ Pinot Noir leads with its brightness and high-toned red fruits that dance with shades of Mandarin orange zest and copious minerals. Enjoyable in its youth, this dazzling wine will have another decade or more ahead of it in the cellar. If enjoying in its youth, give it a long decant to see it evolve. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2016 Adelsheim ‘Boulder Bluff Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2016 ‘Boulder Bluff Vineyard’ Pinot Noir shows lovely black truffle and peat moss tones that meld with a core of dark fruits on the nose. The palate is plush with vibrant acidity and a lingering finish that entices. Laden with wild blackberry and kirsch flavors, this outstanding wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2016 Adelsheim ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2016 ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir shows off lighter damp earth and white truffle shavings that mingle with red fruits and citrus rind accents on this expressive nose. The palate has wonderful freshness and verve, with medium-bodied huckleberry and boysenberry flavors that dance with minerals, orange zest and earthy undertones. Fantastic to enjoy in its youth, this expressive effort will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2016 Adelsheim ‘Winderlea Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Known for outstanding Pinot Noir under their ‘Winderlea’ label, this great vineyard has produced outstanding, terroir-driven Pinot Noir wines for more than a decade. On the nose this take shape with red currants that mingle with damp earth and peat moss tones. The freshness and verve of the wine is downright awesome as you are greeted with loads of mouth-watering acidity on the attack. Gorgeous now, this will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2016 Adelsheim ‘Calkins Lane Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2016 Adelsheim ‘Calkins Lane Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is another great wine from this storied Willamette Valley estate. Pretty and high-toned red fruits and cinnamon infused orange zest tones combine with the lighter damp earthy tones on this expressive bouquet. The palate is ripe and generous, with copious red fruits, minerals and orange rind accents alongside seriously good length and verve. A complete wine, the 2016 Adelsheim ‘Calkins Lane Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will have a long life ahead of it in the cellar. Drink 2020-2033- 93