3 PK Gift Set - Etched 2005 & 2006 ALYSSA, 2006 THOMAS 750ml

2005 Alyssa, 2006 Alyssa and Thomas.  Offered in a beautiful wood logo 3 bottle box set.

Our Inaugural 2005 Alyssa Pinot Noir:  Has a lovely magenta, Indian ruby color. The wine exhibits loads of dark red and black fruits that are continuing to develop. The attack in the mouth is lush, sensuous and lovely, coating the entire palate. The wine is medium bodied showing a very complimentary union of oak, tannins and flavors. The mouth feel is enhanced by the whole clusters placed into the tanks prior to adding the de-stemmed portion of the grapes. The finish is medium long with well integrated tannins and the aromas return in the classic French description of the peacock’s tail. That is to say, that after swallowing the wine, the wine’s flavors return back up into the palate and unfold and spread like the beautiful peacock’s tail.

R. Gary Andrus– Winemaker

2006 Alyssa Pinot Noir:  The wine has the same dark magenta, Indian Ruby color as the 2005, but, is bigger in the mouth.  The nose is shy and reminiscent of the 2005 vintage which is wonderful for consistency of place and powerful floral notes.  The wine exhibits dark cherries and a smoky quality that is somewhat more reminiscent of Eola than Amity.  The nose evolves with time in the glass.  Upon opening, the nose offers more traditional mature Amity fruits with notes of fine French oak, smoke and hints of spice. The wine enters with a silky mouth feel.  The attack on the palate is much more substantial than the 2005 vintage. The flavors explode due to the whole cluster fermentation which adds subtle peppery notes and length to the attack.  The primary flavor on attack is powerful dark cherry fruit with smoky integrated support from the toasty new French oak barrels.  This results in a complete full mouth supporting the classic “earthy” flavors of the soils in which the grapes were grown.                                        

R. Gary Andrus– Winemaker

2006 Thomas Pinot Noir:  The color is somewhat lighter and more finessful than the bold colors of the Alyssa, which is typical of the vineyards in the Dundee Hills AVA. The brick hue of the color shows more developed in the glass and well supports the attack in the mouth and the finish that unfolds. The dark fruits of plum and dark cherry become the undertone of the terroir; we recognize the red-volcanic soil more than the darker fruit notes of the vine.
The aroma is definitely classic Red Hills with earth, floral overtones and minerality. The floral aromas are reminiscent of the Burgundy Cotes du Nuits and are enhanced by very subtle hints of spice and fine French oak. The acidity is vibrant and expressive which should provide great aging potential.
R. Gary Andrus, Winemaker