In Southern Oregon some producers struggle with mitigating the extreme heat conditions and pick when grapes have not met full phenolic ripeness. Such is not the case with Reustle, one of the top Southern Oregon producers. For many years I have admired the wines by Steve Reustle that show a great combination of freshness and finesse, yet display serious flavor density. Over the years Steve has gained a seriously good reputation particularly for his Syrah and Tempranillo bottlings. Having visited with him a few years back, you can really taste his attention to detail in the bottle. Steve and Gloria Reustle owned a successful marketing company before arriving in the Umpqua Valley of Oregon, Steve carefully mapped out 40 acres of vineyards to be planted. Each variety, clone, and rootstock was carefully selected to match the diverse hillside soil and unique micro-climates.
Steve has crafted a really great new range of wines. He made a killer new 2019 Reustle ‘Clone 23’ Riesling (OB, 90) which is fresh and vibrant with a polished texture. Even better is the gorgeous 2018 Reustle ‘Winemaker’s Reserve’ Tempranillo (OB, 93) which is amongst the finest Southern Oregon wines I have tasted over the past year. This deep and heady effort still has another decade or more in front of it. Learn more about this outstanding Southern Oregon producer at reustlevineyards.com and here are my tasting notes from the new Reustle wines.
2020 Reustle Moscato- This shows bright acidity with slightly sweet peach, lychee and starfruit flavors. Finishing a bit short, enjoy this well-made Moscato to be consumed in the short-term. Drink 2021-2023- 88
2019 Reustle ‘Clone 23’ Riesling- Made in the Kabinett style, the ‘Clone 23’ delivers ripe nectarine, Pink Lady apple and wet stone flavors along a good veil of tension. The soft mouthfeel adds to the enjoyment. Enjoy in the short-term while the brightness remains intact. Drink 2021-2023- 90
2019 Reustle ‘Green Lizard’ Gruner Veltliner- The 2019 ‘Green Lizard’ shows off good freshness with green papaya, mango and sweetened Gravenstein apple flavors. Enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2021-2023- 89
2019 Reulstle ‘Estate Selection’ Gruner Veltliner- Made from Clone 01 grapes, the ‘Estate Selection’ reveals wet slate, orange peel and unripe honeydew melon flavors alongside a good veil of tension and a soft mouthfeel. Enjoy now while the freshness remains. Drink 2021-2024- 90
2019 Reustle ‘Estate Selection’ Tempranillo- The 2019 ‘Estate Selection’ Tempranillo is a great value with its core of acidity that lines a brilliant core of red cherry, red plum, blood orange zest, tobacco leaf and stony mineral tones on the palate. Medium-bodied and complex, this would pair well with a range of Spanish foods that compliment the acidity here. Drink 2021-2028- 91
2018 Reustle ‘Winemaker’s Reserve’ Tempranilo- The 2018 ‘Reserve’ Tempranillo is a gorgeous effort by Stephen Reustle. The sense of balance is gorgeous, as is the silky texture that makes this glide throughout the drinking experience. Layers of coffee grounds, tar and menthol, with blackberry compote all deliver plenty of hedonistic enjoyment. Sensational to savor in its youth, this has another ten to fifteen years left in the cellar. Drink 2021-2033- 93
2017 Reustle ‘Estate Selection’ Merlot- Salty tones line a generous core of red fruit with tobacco and orange zest flavors. Medium-bodied and nicely structured, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2021-2029- 90
2019 Reustle ‘Estate Selection’ Malbec- Forward and juicy, the 2019 Malbec delivers plenty in terms of texture and ripe dark fruit flavors. Full-bodied, with bright acidity, this excellent effort will cellar well over the next ten years. Drink 2021-2031- 91
2019 Reustle ‘Estate Selection’ Syrah-The 2019 ‘Estate Selection’ Syrah by Reustle shows off Kirch cordial, smoke and tar all line the palate, with bright acidity and orange rind undertones. Medium-bodied, the sense of balance and smoky accents really make this sing. Drink 2021-2028- 91
2019 Reustle ‘Winemaker’s Reserve’ Syrah- The 2019 ‘Winemaker’s Reserve’ Syrah exudes class with black tea, exotic spices, and loads of red and dark fruits. With more air smoky tones and white pepper become more prominent, adding to the intrigue. Medium to full-bodied and downright delicious to savor now, this has another decade of life in front of it. Drink 2021-2031- 92
2015 Reustle ‘Rojo Dulce’ Dessert Wine- Inky dark and weighing in at 16% alcohol, the ‘Rojo Dulce’ shows and intense, hedonistic mouthfeel with gobs of sweetened dark and blue fruits with tobacco leaf, tar and bright acidity holding everything together. This is a seriously good effort that is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2021-2027- 92
