Alexana

Today on WWB we share one of the greats of the Willamette Valley, Alexana. I have been consistently mpressed with their lineup over the past five years as they craft an amazing range of wines from mineral-driven Riesling to earthy Pinot Noirs. Over the years I have found that the consistency of these wines have been remarkable. Alexana was founded many years back by Dr. Madaiah Revana, a famed cardiologist. Named after Dr. Revana’s daughter,  Alexana has a stunning setting in the Red Hills AVA. The winery utilizes both gravity flow and Gold LEED certification. Bryan Weil serves as head winemaker and has greatly impressed with his solid range of new wines. Bryan previously worked at Domaine Serene before heading back to Oregon State University, where in 2008 he graduated with a degree in Enology and Viticulture. Bryan then served as assistant winemaker at Hogue Cellars in Prosser, Washington, prior to being named Alexana winemaker in in 2012.

Bryan has crafted a killer new lineup of wines. Look to his  2017 Alexana ‘Signature’ Chardonnay (WWB, 93) which has awesome poise and motuhfeel, showing some great aging potential. I was blown away with the outstanding 2017 Alexana ‘Signature’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which has gorgeous dark fruits and great tension. One of the outstanding efforts I have tried this year, the 2018 Alexana ‘Revana Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 95) is sinfully good, showing opulence and incredible aromatic and flavor range. This is one for any serious collector of Oregon wines. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at http://www.alexanawinery.com Here are the great new release wines by Alexana. 

2019 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Pinot Gris- Right away the racy sense of minerality greets you, as layers of Meyer lemon zest, wet stone, Pink grapefruit blossom and unripe cantaloupe all collide on the palate. Fresh and vibrant with a light dusting of salinity, this beautiful wine will be best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2020-2024- 91

2017 Alexana ‘Signature’ Chardonnay- The 2017 ‘Signature’ Chardonnay is another outstanding release by Brian Weil. Golden in color once in the glass, the Chardonnay shows shades of marzipan woven together with lychee, smoky minerals and bright Pazzaz apple tones on the nose. The palate shows a silky texture with an opulent sense of mouthfeel. Layers of Meyer lemon cream and cantaloupe connect momentum with copious minerals and shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Complex and simply delicious in its youth, this outstanding new wine will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2032- 93

2017 Alexana ‘Signature’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Signature’ Pinot Noir is another sensational new release by Alexana. Once on the nose, alluring red rose petals with peat moss and forest floor tones combine with the good core of sour red fruits. The combination of tension and texture here really works, as layers of red currants, pomegranate seed and blood orange zest meld with the earthy undertones of the wine. Medium bodied, and showing great poise and length, this outstanding new Pinot Noir will enjoy at least another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 93

2018 Alexana ‘East Blocks Volcanic Soils’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Dundee Hills AVA, the ‘East Blocks Volcanic Soils’ shows a light dusting of volcanic terroir with shades of wild blackberry and peat moss that mingle in the glass. The palate is dense, with great freshness and texture. The light salinity and damp stone character really entices as the core of blackberry compote and pine needle tones connect with shades of Satsuma orange rind on this complex and delicious palate. The depth and concentration is awesome, as is the great tension of the wine, leading to an exceedingly long finish. Gorgeous and deep in its youth, this outstanding new wine will enjoy a long road ahead of it. Drink 2020-2036- 94

2018 Alexana ‘West Blocks Sedimentary Soils’ Pinot Noir- The ‘West Blocks Sedimentary Soils’ Pinot Noir has an err of salty terroir once on the bouquet with shades of kirsch and blood orange that connect with the earthy aromatics of the wine. The palate is dense and wonderfully salty from the quite obvious terroir — so much so that your mouth continues to water throughout the drinking experience. Wild blackberry and cran-pomegrantae flavors connect with the forest floor and wild mushroom tones of the wine. Complete and having great length, this beautiful wine is only an infant and has many years of drinking enjoyment ahead of it. Drink 2020-2036- 94

2018 Alexana ‘Revana Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The famed ‘Revana Vineyard’ is located in the Northwestern corner of the Dundee Hills AVA. Amazingly this site has 18 different soil types as well as ten different clones of Pinot Noir. Needing a two hour decant to be fully aroused, the wine leads with a massive core of dark fruits with shades of Earl Grey tea, Asian spices, orange zest and peat moss tones that round out this exotic bouquet. The palate is dense and chewy with a vibrant sense of minerality. The weight of the wine almost takes you to Sonoma with its dark kirsch tones and lighter cola and damp earth accents. A light salinity mingles with the deep fruits and the long finish entices. Truly gratifying in all of its rich splendor, this warm vintage Pinot Noir is utterly sensational to savor right now and will provide drinking enjoyment for two decades. Drink 2020-2038- 95