On some nights when I am not running through new wines I have the rare opportunity to dig through my personal collection and uncork something great. It has now been several years since I have had the chance to revisit the 2013 vintage by Baer, with superstar Erica Orr at the helm. She has graciously shared her thoughts about the 2013 vintage:
“2013 was a hot summer with several heat spikes and then we had rain in September, looking back I think I waited a tick too long to pick in 13. The growing degree days for 2013 look to be pretty average but I am harvesting a week or more earlier now/in recent vintages than I did back then. We brought in the first Merlot for Baer on September 19, 2013 and started picking Cabernet Sauvignon in mid-October. Baer got a new de-stemmer in 2015 so I think that fewer jacks and stems in the fermenter together with my focus on picking with the intention to retain freshness has changed the style to be less tannic, with lower alcohol and more vibrancy in subsequent vintages. I'm also using a lower percentage of new French oak barrels these days…”
I chose two wines out of my cellar for this special tasting, the 2013 Baer ‘Ursa’ (42% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot) and the 2013 Baer ‘Arctos’ (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot) which were both absolutely singing. All grapes for both wines are sourced from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard which is a cooler site for red wine in the Columbia Valley. One thing I noticed was how much better these wines showed following a double decant and several hours in the ideacnter. This is a tribute to Erica’s highly Bordelaise style of winemaking.
I have always admired the red wines produced in 2013 which I felt were a touch better than white wines from that vintage overall. At times as wine reviewers we fall in the trap of vintages that follow great vintages. 2012 overall as a vintage in Washington assuredly was great, but 2013 was also seriously good. The red wines from 2013 were generally powerful with good tannin structure and phenolic ripeness. These wines were a touch more opulent than those from 2012 but there were also some marvelously balanced wines made in ’13 — none more so than the Baer wines that I tasted. Here are my tasting notes from my 2013 Baer retrospective. For more info on the wines please visit baerwinery.com
2013 Baer ‘Ursa’ Red Wine- The 2013 ‘Ursa’ is a compelling right bank style wine that is absolutely singing at now the seven year mark. The wine is a blend of 42% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot , as this shows pretty red rose petals that combine with shades of cocoa powder and black cherry cordial with sagebrush accents on this decadent nose. The palate is plush, showing not only a bright acidity but a soft, supple mouthfeel. Layers of deep dark fruits are artfully woven together with suggestions of coffee grounds, black tea, exotic spices and creme de cassis. This is a harmonious, beautifully balanced wine that has every working part moving together. Enjoy the gorgeous 2013 ‘Ursa’ Red Wine over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2013 Baer ‘Arctos’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A blend of nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (84%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2013 ‘Arctos’ shows anise and creme de cassis with Turkish coffee and shades of blueberry compote on this compelling nose. The palate has outstanding freshness and comes of very warm vintage left bank Bordeaux. Layers of creme de cassis and espresso bean collide with damp earth, black olive, and blackberry compote flavors. Gorgeous to enjoy right now, the 2013 ‘Arctos’ really has anther fifteen years to go. Drink 2020-2033- 93