BEAUX FRERES OREGON WINE TASTING WITH SPECIAL GUEST JILLIAN BRADSHAW WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH 7:30PM 

Maya: "Why are you so in to Pinot? . . . I mean, it's like a thing with you."





Miles: "Uh, I don't know, I don't know. Um, it's a hard grape to grow, as you know. Right? It's uh, it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It's, you know, it's not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it's neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and . . . ancient on the planet."

I remember my first trip to Oregon in the summer of 1994 for the IPNC (International Pinot Noir Celebration) this is one of the best wine parties that I have ever attended. The festival is limited to 500 attendees as it is hosted by McMinnville College and that is all they can accommodate in their lecture facilities. I remember not only were the quality of the wines at the highest level but the people in attendance were some of the most passionate Pinot Noir lovers that I had ever come across. And although winemaking began in the 19th century in this state it is only recently that its potential has been recognized by the rest of the world.

It was in 1979 when serious wine producers started to look at the potential of this area as Eyrie Vineyards' 1975 South Block Pinot Noir placed in the top 10 of Burgundy-style wines at the Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiades and was rated the top Pinot Noir. This news went around the wine world and shortly after Robert Drouhin, head of Burgundy's legendary Maison Joseph Drouhin, was visiting America's west coast promoting the Drouhin Burgundies. The California wine industry was just starting to receive its first recognition back then, but there was little if anything going on in Oregon.  This was Robert's first visit to the Northwest and its earliest vineyards left him with the impression that it quite possibly would be Oregon, not California, that would ultimately prove to be the best place to grow the great grape of Burgundy - Pinot noir.

Inspired by his trip to Oregon and the results of 1979 tasting that was held in Paris, where, for the first time, the best new Oregon Pinot noirs were tasted in competition with the finest Burgundies. Robert decided to hold his own blind tasting in 1980 at the Drouhin cellars in France, with several of the best Oregon Pinot noirs going up against the finest Drouhin Grand Crus. It was a Drouhin Grand Cru that took first place this time, but an Oregon wine (the now legendary 1975 Eyrie Vineyards South Block) placed 2nd by a very narrow margin with the French experts. News of this tasting brought the first widespread international attention to Oregon Pinot noir.

After a few years' time Robert's daughter Véronique just graduated with an advanced degree in enology from the University of Dijon and wanted to expand her experience by working in Oregon. Véronique interned with Adelsheim Vineyards, Bethel Heights, and Eyrie for the 1986 vintage. Later on, Robert mentioned to David Adelsheim that it might be interesting to buy a piece of land in Oregon, to see what it might produce. What started as a passing thought began its transformation into reality when Adelsheim phoned the Drouhins in Beaune not long thereafter to tell them of a property that was for sale that they might be interested in. The rest is history and with one of Burgundies foremost wine producing families moving to Oregon the writing was on the wall that this wine producing region would soon get its much-deserved recognition as one of the world's premier Pinot Noir growing regions.

Today, the state of Oregon in the United States has established an international reputation for its production of wine. Oregon has several different growing regions within the state's borders which are well-suited to the cultivation of grapes; additional regions straddle the border between Oregon and the states of Washington and Idaho. Wine making dates back to pioneer times in the 1840s, with commercial production beginning in the 1960s.

American Viticultural Areas entirely within the state include the Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon, Umpqua Valley, and Rogue Valley AVAs. Parts of the Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla Valley, and Snake River Valley AVAs lie within Oregon. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are the top two grapes grown, with over 16,000 tons (14,515 metric tons) harvested in 2005. As of 2005, Oregon wine makers produced over 1.5 million cases combined.

Currently there are over 700 wineries in Oregon and a bustling tourism industry has developed around wine tasting. Much of the tourism focuses on the wineries and tasting rooms in and around the Yamhill Valley southwest of Portland.

You don't have to travel to Oregon to taste some of the top wines being made here as we have one of the top wineries from Oregon in town on Thursday, February 27th.  Join us as we welcome Jillian Bradshaw from Beaux Freres winery for a tasting of new releases from this landmark Willamette Valley winery.  Check out the selection of wines we have in the store right now from Oregon they are all on SALE!

Chef Toni Lampasone will be making a special menu to accompany the tasting wines, the fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $195 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

Beaux Freres Oregon Wine Tasting

with Special Guest Jillian Bradshaw

Wednesday, November 9th

7:30 PM

2019 BEAUX FRERES CHARDONNAY WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Price: $89.75   Your Price: $78.98

(93 Points) Refined and sleekly complex, with citrus and pear flavors joined by lemon verbena and fresh ginger accents, which build steely complexity on a snappy finish.  Wine Spectator

2019 BEAUX FRÈRES PINOT NOIR BELLES SOEURS BEAUX FRERES

Price: $105.25    Your Price: $92.62

In a reprise performance, this radiant gem displays the cherished essence of our family farmed sites. Impressions of pomegranate, pie cherry, tropical flowers and sage play stealthily amid electric acidity and spring-loaded tannins. From its brilliant hue, and onward toward a shining symphonic bouquet and mesmerizing, ethereal texture; this is the purity of Pinot Noir we treasure.

2018 BEAUX FRÈRES PINOT NOIR BELLES SOEURS BEAUX FRERES

Price: $102.00    Your Price: $89.76            Quantity in Stock: 7

In a reprise performance, this radiant gem displays the cherished essence of our family farmed sites. Impressions of pomegranate, pie cherry, tropical flowers and sage play stealthily amid electric acidity and spring-loaded tannins. From its brilliant hue, and onward toward a shining symphonic bouquet and mesmerizing, ethereal texture; this is the purity of Pinot Noir we treasure.

2017 BEAUX FRERES PINOT NOIR BEAUX FRERES VINEYARD

Price: $90.00       Your Price: $79.20            Quantity in Stock: 5

(95 Points) Combines structure with verve, offering richly expressive raspberry, violet and orange peel flavors that take on polish and complexity toward well buffed tannins. Drink now through 2028. Wine Spectator

2018 BEAUX FRERES THE BEAUX FRERES VINEYARD PINOT NOIR OREGON

Price: $102.00    Your Price: $89.76            Quantity in Stock: 7

(95 Points) A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. #9 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2020

2019 BEAUX FRERES PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Price: $75.75       Your Price: $66.66

(94 Points) Vibrant and detailed, with impeccably structured raspberry and guava flavors that are laced with orange peel and black tea notes, building richness and sleek polish on the long finish. Drink now through 2030.  Wine Spectator

2019 BEAUX FRERES PINOT NOIR ESTATE WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Price: $123.75    Your Price: $108.90

A glowing medium ruby color. Redolent of Juicy strawberry and bright cherry fruit on the nose. Aromatic intrigue is heightened by the slight damp earth and warm spice components. The fruit follows through on the velvety textured palate. A great balance of fruit purity and a hedonistic lushness.

Our Willamette Valley cuvée features fruit grown on select vineyard sites in the Northern Willamette Valley. The wines benet from the same integrity in the winemaking process as our estate wines. The sites are farmed sustainably and managed to very low yields.

We age the wines in the same French oak barrels used in our estate bottling, however the percentage of new oak is intentionally lower. This wine is not fined or filtered.

2018 BEAUX FRÈRES ZENA CROWN PINOT NOIR OREGON

Price: $81.00       Your Price: $71.28            Quantity in Stock: 7

(94 points) " Deep, glistening red. Powerful, smoke- and spice-accented black raspberry, cherry and floral scents are complicated by subtle cola and vanilla notes. Appealingly sweet and expansive on the palate, offering intense red and dark berry, cola and spice cake flavors that pick up a hint of cocoa on the back half. Rounded, well-knit tannins frame a smooth, impressively persistent finish that leaves behind red berry liqueur and mocha notes." Vinous

2019 BEAUX FRERES PINOT NOIR SEQUITUR WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Price: $96.00       Your Price: $84.48

Sequitur is family-owned and managed by Mike Etzel. It is adjacent to the Upper Terrace Vineyard, bearing prestigious Ribbon Ridge AVA.  Our "Wine Drinking People" will be the first to experience the Sequitur in South Florida!

Menu

Cheese and Charcuterie Selection

Seared Local Wahoo with Toasted Macadamia Nut Brown Butter and Green Apple, Lemon Zest Israeli Cous Cous

Prosciutto Wrapped Berkshire Pork Loin with Strawberry BBQ and Sweet Potato Au Gratin

Epoisses and Cherry Tart

The fee for this tasting is $195 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.  Please let us know when you make your reservation if you have any dietary restrictions and chef Toni will be happy to accommodate you.

Beaux Freres Winery from Oregon

While on vacation in 1986, Michael Etzel came upon an 88-acre pig farm for sale located on Ribbon Ridge in the Northern Willamette Valley, Yamhill County, Oregon. After some deliberation, Michael purchased the farm with his brother-in-law (the French idiom is "beaux frères"), Robert Parker, Jr.

Michael uprooted his young family from Colorado and moved to the farm the following summer. He began his focused pursuit as a vineyard manager by planting only Pinot Noir and slowly transforming the old pig and dairy farm into his jewel. While planting his own vineyard, Michael worked four harvests at Ponzi Winery. In 1990, Michael harvested his first crop and sold the grapes, except enough to make one barrel, to winemakers Ken Wright and Dick Ponzi.

In 1991, a renovation of one of the barns led to the creation of Beaux Frères Winery. With each new vintage, Michael's efforts further unveil his pursuit of Pinot Noir that is the purest expression of the vineyard.

In the spring of 2017, our second-generation winery began a new partnership with eighth-generation French family-owned Maisons & Domaines Henriot.

Our new partners' have been inspired by the authenticity, integrity, and character of our vineyard and winery. In addition to his partial-ownership, Michael's role in guiding vineyard, winery, and administrative operations continues, as does the role of his son, Mike D. Etzel, as Winemaker. We believe we are in a better position than ever to create world-class wines of truly unique character and complexity

I remember my first trip to Oregon in the summer of 1994 for the IPNC (International Pinot Noir Celebration) this is one of the best wine parties that I have ever attended. The festival is limited to 500 attendees as it is hosted by McMinnville College and that is all they can accommodate in their lecture facilities. I remember not only were the quality of the wines at the highest level but the people in attendance were some of the most passionate Pinot Noir lovers that I had ever come across. And although winemaking began in the 19th century in this state it is only recently that its potential has been recognized by the rest of the world.

It was in 1979 when serious wine producers started to look at the potential of this area as Eyrie Vineyards' 1975 South Block Pinot Noir placed in the top 10 of Burgundy-style wines at the Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiades and was rated the top Pinot Noir. This news went around the wine world and shortly after Robert Drouhin, head of Burgundy's legendary Maison Joseph Drouhin, was visiting America's west coast promoting the Drouhin Burgundies. The California wine industry was just starting to receive its first recognition back then, but there was little if anything going on in Oregon.  This was Robert's first visit to the Northwest and its earliest vineyards left him with the impression that it quite possibly would be Oregon, not California, that would ultimately prove to be the best place to grow the great grape of Burgundy - Pinot noir.

Inspired by his trip to Oregon and the results of 1979 tasting that was held in Paris, where, for the first time, the best new Oregon Pinot noirs were tasted in competition with the finest Burgundies. Robert decided to hold his own blind tasting in 1980 at the Drouhin cellars in France, with several of the best Oregon Pinot noirs going up against the finest Drouhin Grand Crus. It was a Drouhin Grand Cru that took first place this time, but an Oregon wine (the now legendary 1975 Eyrie Vineyards South Block) placed 2nd by a very narrow margin with the French experts. News of this tasting brought the first widespread international attention to Oregon Pinot noir.

After a few years' time Robert's daughter Véronique just graduated with an advanced degree in enology from the University of Dijon and wanted to expand her experience by working in Oregon. Véronique interned with Adelsheim Vineyards, Bethel Heights, and Eyrie for the 1986 vintage. Later on, Robert mentioned to David Adelsheim that it might be interesting to buy a piece of land in Oregon, to see what it might produce. What started as a passing thought began its transformation into reality when Adelsheim phoned the Drouhins in Beaune not long thereafter to tell them of a property that was for sale that they might be interested in. The rest is history and with one of Burgundies foremost wine producing families moving to Oregon the writing was on the wall that this wine producing region would soon get its much-deserved recognition as one of the world's premier Pinot Noir growing regions.

Today, the state of Oregon in the United States has established an international reputation for its production of wine. Oregon has several different growing regions within the state's borders which are well-suited to the cultivation of grapes; additional regions straddle the border between Oregon and the states of Washington and Idaho. Wine making dates back to pioneer times in the 1840s, with commercial production beginning in the 1960s.

American Viticultural Areas entirely within the state include the Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon, Umpqua Valley, and Rogue Valley AVAs. Parts of the Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla Valley, and Snake River Valley AVAs lie within Oregon. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are the top two grapes grown, with over 16,000 tons (14,515 metric tons) harvested in 2005. As of 2005, Oregon wine makers produced over 1.5 million cases combined.

Currently there are over 700 wineries in Oregon and a bustling tourism industry has developed around wine tasting. Much of the tourism focuses on the wineries and tasting rooms in and around the Yamhill Valley southwest of Portland.