Vote of confidence for iOTA’s 2014 vintage from The Prince of Pinot put a smile on our faces 🙂
Pinotfile: VOL 11, ISSUE 5
Sips of Recently Tasted Willamette Valley Wines
June 25, 2017
by William “Rusty” Gaffney
iOTA Cellars, Amity, Oregon
Owners and winemakers Johanna and Don Sandberg relocated from Minneapolis to Portland, Oregon in 1999 to investigate growing grapes and making wine in the Willamette Valley. A family partner owner, Lynne Pelos contributed financial and marketing support so that by the end of 2000, they had moved to the future vineyard site to oversee land development and learn the business of growing grapes. The vineyard was first planted in 2002. The 57-acre parcel of land had never been planted to grapes. Located in the northern Eola Hills of Yamhill County, the land sits just east of the Van Duzer corridor. As of 2014, there were 14.5 acres planted to Pinot Noir, with a small amount of Chardonnay. Some grapes are sold to Big Table Farm. Visitwww.iotacellars.com.
2014 iOTA Not One iOTA Pelos Sandberg Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 658 cases, $28. A blend of barrels not used in the flagship or whole cluster bottlings. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 7% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, Asian 5-spice and smoky timber. Rich and fully flavored, with a satisfying core of cherry fruit and welcome t n’a balance. A smoky, barnyard character is noted upon pouring the wine, but this tends to largely resolve over time in the glass. This rustic barnyard note is typical of Pinot Noir from this vineyard. A very good value. Score: 90
2014 iOTA Pelos Sandberg Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 486 cases, $40. The winery’s flagship bottling. A selection of barrels including all four of the clones in the Pelos-Sandberg Vineyard: Pommard, Wädenswil, Dijon 777 and 667. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Appealing aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and pipe smoke. Plush in the mouth with a serious extract of fresh black cherry and black raspberry fruit flavors accented with spice and a subtle smoky signature. Plenty to discover in this wine with many nuances, commendable harmony and an inspiring finish. Score: 93
2014 iOTA Pelos Sandberg Vineyard Whole Cluster Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 94 cases, $44. Four barrels of 100% whole cluster Pinot Noir. 25% each of Pommard, Wädenswil, 777 and 667 clones. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. Bottled unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Exotically perfumed with aromas of dark berries, spice, sweet smoke and oil can. More intensely flavored with a more profound attack than the flagship bottling, offering flavors of purple and black berries, spice, mushroom, smoke and earth. Velveteen in texture, with snappy acidity and a very long, sweet cherry finish. Much more rounded and inviting when tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92