The Hedonistic Taster | № 13 | Vidon Vineyard

The Hedonistic Taster | № 13 | Vidon Vineyard

Chehalem Mountains AVA | Willamette Valley, OR.

by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML

A Tasse de dégustiation, or tastevin, is a silver tasting cup used by vignerons and negociants in Burgundy to taste wines. Most are presented as christening gifts at birth.

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“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer

Welcome to The Hedonistic Taster, a binNotes | redThread™ trade sampling of gorgeous, small-lot artisan pours in an intimate tasting format.

The title derives from the term ‘hedonistic tasting,’ coined by legendary Burgundian vigneron Henri Jayer. Santé!

Today’s Tasting:

Vidon Vineyard | Chehalem Mountains AVA | Willamette Valley, OR.

VIDON Vineyard in Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains AVA – “a petite vineyard with a boutique winery.”

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“A petite vineyard with a boutique winery.”

Ok, wine astronauts, buckle up and prepare for takeoff as we taste through samples of Vidon Vineyard 100% estate-grown Oregon Pinot Noir – including a 2012-2014 vertical sampler of 3-Clone cuvées and a special series of 2014 single-clone offerings – all crafted by former NASA astrophysicist-turned-artisan wine maker Don Hagge.

These small-lot wines reflect the owner – easy-going, unpretentious and approachable.

View my exclusive interview with Vidon Vineyard owner and rocket-scientist-turned-artisan wine maker Don Hagge here.

VIDON Vineyard crafts Mirabelle Clone 115 on their LIVE and Salmon-safe certified estate in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

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Wine: VIDON Vineyard Mirabelle Clone 115 Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 14.3 %

Suggested Retail: $50

Production: 100 cases.

Specs

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Obscure ruby robe.

Nose: Linear red fruit, predominately red raspberry.

Palate: Red raspberry, briary, sous bois notes. Light body, medium acid, minimal tannins/finish.

Suggested Pairings: Perfect, agreeable grab-and-go for game night at the neighbors over lip-smacking finger foods.

VIDON Vineyard in Oregon produced only 125 cases of this estate-grown Pinot Noir.

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Wine: VIDON Vineyard Brigita Clone 777 Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 14.3%

Suggested Retail: $50

Production: 125 cases.

Specs

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Clouded garnet robe.

Nose: Rainier cherry, pomegranate, cranberry nose.

Palate: Hard red cherry candy, black pepper, bramble, sous bois notes. Light body, medium acids, minimal tannins.

Suggested Pairings: Easy-breezy accompaniment to wild rice and cranberry stuffed game, or seared tuna with pomegranate coulis.

VIDON Vineyard 2014 Hans Clone Pommard is a single-clone estate-grown Pinot Noir produced on Oregon’s Chehalem Mountain AVA by artisan wine maker Don Hagge.

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Wine: VIDON Vineyard Hans Clone Pommard Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 14.3%

Suggested Retail: $50

Production: 148 cases.

Specs

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Roiled, fuscia-tinged raspberry robe.

Nose: Hi-toned red fruit, barnyard, noisette finish.

Palate: Red fruits, hazelnut, pepper finish. Light body, medium acids, light tannins/finish.

Although a Pinot Noir, this wine evokes a Cru Beaujolais from Fleurie or Régnié.

Suggested Pairings: Sidle this little number up to some hazelnut-crusted ahi.

VIDON Vineyard estate 3-Clone cuvee combines three different Pinot Noir clones: 115, 777 and Pommard on their sustainable estate vineyard on Chehalem Mountains AVA in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

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Wine: 2014 VIDON Vineyard 3 Clones Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.3%

Suggested Retail: $40

Production: 710 cases.

Specs

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Sheer ruby robe.

Nose: Pomegranate, earth, umami back note.

Palate: Bing cherry, red vine licorice, ripe raspberry. Acid plus, medium tannin, raspish finish.

A note about the harvest: Wine wags deem the 2014 Willamette Valley harvest “the vintage of a lifetime,” owing to an unblemished growing season from bud break through harvest, producing record-breaking quality fruit of exceptional balance.

Suggested Pairings: Bring on the ‘fifth flavor’! This wine pairs well with similar, umami-rich dishes such as a leek and cèpes tart, or stuffed portobello mushrooms.

Minimal intervention allows for maximum expression of remium Pinot Noir produced by artisan winery VIDON VIneyard in Oregon.

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Wine: 2013 VIDON Vineyard 3 Clones Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.3%

Suggested Retail: $40

Production: 480 cases.

Specs

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Pellucid ruby robe; slight effervescence that dissipates with decanting.

Nose: Peat, cherry; slight sulfur notes evaporate with airing.

Palate: Modelo cherry, rose hip, white pepper bouche.

A note about the harvest: This wine provides an unabashed portrait of a warm start out of the gate that turned difficult to choreograph at harvest as the rains first threatened, then arrived without mercy. A third of the wine growers chose to harvest early before the rains, another third harvested on schedule in the rain, and the final third harvested in October, which meant the potential for rot.

Vidon Vineyard opted for the former – to harvest before the rains. Welcome to the Willamette Valley.

Suggested Pairings: A conversation starter over just-baked gougères.

Minimal intervention allows for maximum expression of remium Pinot Noir produced by artisan winery VIDON VIneyard in Oregon.

Wine: 2012 VIDON Vineyard 3 Clones Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 15%

Suggested Retail: $40

Production: 530 cases.

Specs

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Deep garnet robe.

Nose: Spice, cranberry, mushroom.

Palate: Linear red fruit and earth bouche, light body, acids plus, medium tannins, minimal finish.

A note about the harvest: Willamette Valley’s 2012 vintage proved one of the most glorious on record, unfurling warm days, cool nights, even ripening, and well-balanced acids and tannins.

Suggested Pairings: Reminiscent of a straightforward, spicy Bourgogne Passe Tout Grains. Pair with a daube, saucisson or equally rustic fare.

View my exclusive interview with Vidon Vineyard owner and rocket-scientist-turned-artisan wine maker Don Hagge here.

For more information:

Vidon Vineyard

(503)538-4092

17425 NE Hillside Drive • Newberg, Oregon 97132