15 Years! I Was There From Day 1

Ok we know they are a cute couple. Yes, I have written about Stewart Boedecker and His winemaker Wife Athena Pappas , a lot ! What can I say? I have been there from day one and a big supporter. 15 years from the days when they were honing their craft at the Carlton Studios to the present days when they are an urban winery in downtown Portland. On the fringe of Portland’s Northwest Industrial District, a stone’s throw from the Pyramid Brewery and not far from Forest Park, you’ll find Boedecker Cellars-a full blown urban winery that churns out some of Oregon’s best Pinot Noirs, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Rose.

The Portland Wine Project.. JUST FOR ABC

The Portland Wine Project is a project to highlight this urban winery and I have already reviewed the PDX (Portland International Airport Code) Pinot Noir 2014. This is the Pinot Noir Rose 2017 that just arrived in our stores again exclusively sold at ABC Fine Wine And Spirits in  Florida

Is Saignée A Fake Rose?

Saignée (“sohn-yay”) means “to bleed,” and it also describes a method of rosé winemaking that involves “bleeding” off a portion of red wine juice after it’s been in contact with the skins and seeds. Saignée is considered a byproduct of red winemaking because its primary function is to increase the concentration of red wines. Still, Saignée is a unique style of rosé wine because it is so often bolder and darker in color than any other Rosé Wine. So, if you’re not a fan of traditional Rosé, you might like Saignée because: ……..Some People claim it has more tannins more color and more weight than  wimpy, light pink Rose from Provence where they just use the method of short maceration on the skins to achieve the lightest color and crispness to the wine. I SAY ….POPPYCOCK!! It all depends on the winery and the winemakers NOT the method of producing the wine!

2017 Portland Wine Project

PDX Pinot Noir Rose, Oregon

Only 224 cases produced. Made from organically farmed 100% Pinot Noir grapes fermented in used neutral oak with the LEES (Dead Yeast) Stirred to create a richer mid palate. Once again, made exclusively for ABC Fine Wine And Spirits in the State of Florida. I want you to look at the bottom of the bottle in the picture. That’s for all you Anti- Saignee people on the internet. It’s even lighter in color and barely a touch of pink in the glass. It is not weighty with only 13.3% Alcohol. This is not some byproduct of Pinot Noir. This is artisan winemaking at it’s best. I might go as far as saying this is the best example of Rose Wine in the entire store. Aromas of wild strawberry, cherry, and citrus. On the palate very light and bright on it’s feet with refreshing fruits, like watermelon with a fresh squeeze of lime and salt, red currants, bright mouthwatering acidity. You Say Mouthwatering Acidity in a Knockoff Rose made Saignee??  I am not disagreeing that some can be heavy and not what a wine consumer wants for a Rose Wine and some can seem like an afterthought with leftover grapes but not this one. I have to go 91 points out of 100 and dare I say as much as I still love the Boedecker Cellars Reflection Pinot Noir Rose at the same $14.99 this is more of the style I prefer. Kudos to the cute couple who knocked it out of the park with this limited production Rose.

Summary

I am so proud to have known Athena and Stewart for almost 12 years now. I am also proud that I, for selfish reasons, helped them get their wines into the State Of Florida years ago and now they are with ABC Fine Wine And Spirits. When I was Sommelier at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse our collaboration really exploded by them offering me some 2012 exclusive in two markets of their YC Yamhill Carlton Cuvee Pinot Noir as well as their Stewart Pinot Noir. I am totally unbiased as I have given several bad reviews to their wines over the years on vintages that didn’t work for me and they appreciated the honesty as I appreciate them as friends and winemakers. I just can’t see after tasting this as a lover of Rose Wine you wouldn’t fall in love with the quality to price ratio of this bottling. Saignee is Fake Rose?? Taste this naysayers and then get back to me!

Grape-fully yours, Larry