Today we present an incredible vintage retrospective from Oregon. Argyle has started re-releasing some of their older wines and with great pleasure I had the chance on revisiting the 2000 vintage — one that I had admittedly not tasted for several years. My friend and college Jason Wehling has a deep collection of older Oregon wines and regularly tastes wines from not only the early 2000s but the 1990s. I admittedly am less familiar with Oregon wines that pre-date 2002.
The millennium vintage was one that was somewhat challenging. Former Argyle winemaker Rollin Soles described the 2000 vintage as “A Grand Prix Race strategy.” He noted that July and August somehow did not have a single day which eclipsed 90 degrees. 2000 began with a warm spring led to good fruit set and largely uniform clusters. Soles explained “We started picking 22 September and crossed the finish line on the 14th of October.” Like many vintages, October also brought some rain and cold conditions at harvest. The Willamette Valley Wine Associated called this a “pretty” vintage that is maybe not the heavyweight of 2002 but eclipsed some from the 1990s. Oregon wine collector and old Oregon wine expert Jason Wehling admitted “for my palate I take 2001 over 2000 but looking at the weather stats these were very similar vintages. Both had about an inch of rain at harvest and 2000 might possess slightly better overall acidity.”
Tasting both of these wines side by side, I was amazed how well both had held. The 2000 Argyle ‘Spirithouse’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) had been recorded and it showed a dizzying flavor range with rocking tertiary notes. Very nutty and earthy, this is right in its sweet spot and was not at all over the hill. Just as good was the incredible 2000 Argyle ‘Spirithouse’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) was massively complex. Also very earthy, there was a great deal of red fruit flavors remaining. Tasting these wines I couldn’t help but appreciate the mind and hands of Oregon wine pioneer Rollin Soles who made these incredible wines that have held for nearly twenty-five years. Cheers to Rollin and all that he has done for Oregon wine. Learn more at argylewinery.com and here are my reviews of the 2000 re-release wines by Argyle.
2000 Argyle ‘Spirithouse’ Chardonnay- The 2000 ‘Spirithouse’ Chardonnay weighs in at 13.5% alcohol as this wine comes from a range of Dijon clonal selections coming from the Spirit Hill Vineyard. This shows amazing flavor complexity, with honey, Pink Lady apple and salted Macadamia nut flavors on the palate, with good tension. With more air shades of mango, peat moss and roasted pineapple enter the arena, as this is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2024-2030- 94
2000 Argyle ‘Spirithouse’ Pinot Noir- The 2000 ‘Spirithouse’ PINot Noir is a marvelous, historic Oregon bottling that is fully ready to go right now. This still possesses a great mineral edge, laded with stony accents alongside loamy soils, white truffle shavings, red currants, tobacco leaf and shades of iodine on the palate. Hugely complex and neatly textured, displaying plenty of weight and mouth-watering acidity, this is a marvelous achievement that is best enjoyed now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2029- 94