Crowley Wines Pinot Noir 2009

Crowley Wines
Pinot Noir 2009
Willamette Valley, Oregon
$35-40 available in select private liquor stores

www.crowleywines.com

On my recent trip through the Willamette, tasting bar staff and winemakers talked in reserved/revered tones about Crowley wines. “Have you seen any Crowley?”, “Keep an eye out for Crowley.” “If you’re lucky, you can find some Crowley.” While Crowley’s Chardonnay proved elusive for me, the other grape he vinifies (only the two), was sourced. And if you’ve an eagle eye, like me, you’ll see that Crowley Wines are available through excellent select BC merchants (thank you Marquis Wine Cellars).

You see, while Crowley is relatively new to the scene, winemaker and owner Tyson Crowley is not. Tyson began working in the Oregon wine industry in 1995 and after 12 years of learning from many of Oregon’s top producers, he ventured out on his own. Extensive stints at Erath Vineyards, Cameron Winery (who’s smart Chardonnay I can attest to), J.K. Carriere and Brick House led him to this point – an indie, in-demand, industry darling.

One of the minimal interventionists (no fining, filtering, acidulation, or “funny business”), his 2009 Pinot Noir turned me into a groupie of Camp Crowley. Unavoidably alluring nose of red cherry spice perfume glides to a silky palate of sunripe raspberry, earth, mushroom, salt and cherry. Elegant yet firm, with a cured meats meets herbal flowers twist that charms. So easy to love, and with approximately 350 cases made, a fleeting love at that. With small, boutique Oregon producers so few and far between on this market, it’s so lovely to find one of these wines that truly quality as special ‘gems’. Thanks Marquis!

This would be fantastic with the local salmon available right now – simply prepared, on the grill, in the late summer breeze.

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Crowley Wines Pinot Noir 2009

Unavoidably alluring nose of red cherry spice perfume glides to a silky palate of sunripe raspberry, earth, mushroom, salt and cherry. Elegant yet firm, with a cured meats meets herbal flowers twist that charms. So easy to love, and with approximately 350 cases made, a fleeting love at that.