Sitting across from famed Argyle winemaker Nate Klostermann, I couldn’t help but notice the irony of tasting virtually rather than in person. Such is Covid-19 life, as we continue to socially distance from each other, yet yearn for human interaction which has been a tenet of my Instagram Live series. I have long been fond of the ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noirs by Argyle, truly one of the famed wines of its kind in Oregon. Legendary winemaker Rollin Soles paved the way for Argyle to become one of the famed houses in the state, and completely transformed the Oregon Sparkling Wine market with his consistently good sparkling wines while he was there. I had the great opportunity to taste a few of Rollin’s wines and Nate’s wines and I was so impressed how good each of them were.
Nate served for many years as assistant winemaker to Rollin before being promoted as head winemaker. I found that in terms of style, Nate’s wines from 2014 and 2018 were very precise and razor focused despite them both coming from warm vintages. It was a great pleasure revisiting the 2005 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) now at fifteen years of age, this gorgeous bottling has incredible tertiary tones coming into play and has a long way to go in the cellar. Just starting to show its stuff, the 2008 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) is singing with the delicate red fruits and amazing flavor and aromatic range. ‘2008 is just starting to come into its own’ Nate remarked. I couldn’t agree more.
Nate’s wines from 2014 and 2018 were equally as good, although different in their respective developments. One thing that impressed me the most with the 2018 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) was the massive beam of minerality that hits you on the attack. This level of freshness from a hot vintage is seriously impressive. I love where the 2014 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) is at right now, just slowly creeping into tertiary tones. ‘Right about at the five or six year mark is where these wines really start to show their stuff,’ said Nate. He was right that the 2014 has plenty of primary fruit but the earthy tones are slowly beginning to develop. Needless to say, this was a thrilling tasting for me as this special vertical shows how brilliantly the ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir wines will age in your cellars. Here are my tasting notes from a sensational tasting of ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir.
2005 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir- The 2005 ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir is a scintillating wine that is now really peaking at the fifteen year mark. You are immediately enticed by the lovely shades of white truffle follow layers of dark and red fruits, with peat moss tones also dominating the mix. The palate is seamlessly textured with gorgeous red currents that dance with black truffle crudo, exotic spices and peat moss tones. The length of this wine is very impressive. Fresh and layered, this gorgeous 2005 has a long way to go. Drink 2020-2030- 94
2008 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir-- Considering the coolness of the vintage, it is no surprise to me that the 2008 is slightly more tightly wound aromatically, as this needs an hour decant to fully show its gorgeous range. Bright Bing cherry and cran-orange with first floor tones coming into the fray. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a great sense of acidity and texture. Bright red fruits dance with citrus rind tones and spicebox tones round out this beautiful flavor range. Fresh and really youthful despite being twelve years of age, the 2008 ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2014 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir- This is now the first opportunity for me to taste this brillaint, warm vintage wine, in several years. Bright pomegranate seed and Yakima cherry tones collide with suggestions of baking spices and wild mushroom on this gorgeous bouquet. The palate has great freshness and texture with a great sense of length and poise. Layers of bright red fruits meld with smoky and earthy tones on the palate. Only an infant now, the 2014 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2018 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir- Fresh, vibrant and seriously good, the 2018 ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous new release by the talented Nate Klostermann. Needing an hour decant to be fully aroused, after some air the bright red fruits develop with shades of blood orange zest, peat moss and shades of cardamom that take shape in the glass. The palate has a great sense of texture and weight, as this opulent wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate delivering a deep core of red currants, red cherry candy and forest floor tones that meld with shades of white truffle shavings. Round and generous in its youth, this great new wine will provide drinking enjoyment for decades to come. Drink 2020-2035- 93