I have so many fond memories about visiting White Rose, a top class producer of Oregon Pinot Noir. As we celebrate Oregon Wine Month, I wanted to remember the late Jesus Guillen who was one of my first winemaker interviews for Washington Wine Blog. He passed away way too early but I won’t forget his smile that would light up a room. His wines were just as ebullient.
The new White Rose winemaker, Tresider Burns, comes from Brittan Vineyard pedigree, having trained under eminent winemaker Robert Brittan. Tresider is a great talent and I have been really impressed with his last two sets of wines, coming from the 2018 and now the 2019 vintage — one which was somewhat difficult for winemakers to navigate with inclement weather at harvest.
The new release wines from the 2019 vintage by White Rose are gorgeous across the board. The 2019 White Rose ‘Neo-Classical Objective’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) is deep and concentrated from the whole cluster fermentation, as this rich, red fruit-dominated wine will cellar well for another fifteen years. Even better is the 2019 White Rose ‘White Rose Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is very sexy and delicate, with a soft texture and very pretty red fruits. Learn more about White Rose at https://whiteroseestate.com and if you are feeling generous, please consider donating to the family of Jesus Guillen here: https://www.gofundme.com/jesus-guillen
2020 White Rose ‘The Convivial Feast’ Chardonnay- An excellent new wine crafted by Tresider Burns, the 2020 White Rose ‘The Convivial Feast’ Chardonnay unveils wild mushroom, flint and shades of Pink Lady apple on the nose, with hints of baking spices. The palate is very fresh and nicely textured, as this lithe and polished effort is already nicely evolved. Drink 2022-2028- 92
2021 White Rose ‘The Convivial Feast’ White Pinot Noir- With just the slightest hint of Pink in the glass, this outstanding White Pinot Noir is fleshy and beautifully textured on the mouth. Showing beautiful length and flavor range, this moves from orchard fruits and red raspberry to honeydew melon and wet stone on the palate. Consume this beauty over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2019 White Rose ‘The Neo-Classical Objective’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 White Rose ‘The Neo-Classical Objective’ Pinot Noir underwent 100% whole cluster fermentation. The wine comes off very perfumed with potpourri and cran-orange tones with peat moss and volcanic stones. The wine is beautifully textured with good weight and viscosity once on the mouth. Rich red fruits with freshly tilled soils and cigar box tones combine on the palate. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 93
2019 White Rose ‘Winemaker’s Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- Beautiful to savor even at the three year mark, the really good 2019 White Rose ‘Winemaker’s Cuvee’ Pinot Noir. Once on the nose this takes on black raspberry and pomegranate seed tones with shades of red currants and damp earth. The palate is soft and inviting with glorious tension, texture and flavor density. So well-balanced and inviting to consume now, this will surely cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 94
2019 White Rose ‘The White Rose Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from Pommard clonal selection Pinot Noir which was planted between 1977-1980, this estate vineyard is set on Jory soils. Red cherry candy, orange blossom and cinnamon sticks, with dusty soils all mark the nose. The palate is deep, concentrated, and filled with finesse. Rich red fruits march on with flavors of menthol, red rose water, wet stone and Shitakke mushroom. This very elegant and refined effort really needs an hour of air if enjoying now.
2019 White Rose ‘Guillen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this Dundee Hills site named after the Guillen brothers, this beautiful 2019 Pinot Noir opens with peat moss and teaberry tones, alongside baking spices and tart red fruits. The palate is very soft and refined, with light tannins that frame a very pretty core of red cherry, pomegranate seed and guava. Gorgeous now, this also needs an hour or two in the decanter if enjoying in its tension-filled youth. Drink 2022-2037- 94