After this one only two more bottles of Todd Hamina's distinctive orange and white label bottles remain; and they will be gone forever as the aforementioned winemaker has retired from the game. This is the last of my Anas. My last note was seven years ago.
I had stored them vertically (they have screw caps) until a few months ago when they lay horizontal. I noticed a significant sediment on the neck after opening. There is a dusty quality to the pale ruby color, with some bricking around the rim. The bouquet is still in evidence along with the ample cherry fruit, and zero tannins. Clearly, these wines can age well, even under suboptimal storage conditions.
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Dark and brooding on the nose. Dried blackberry, black currant, black cherries, and figs complement organic earth, wet leaves, leather, and tar. Almost nebbiolo-like in its non-fruit character. Maintains great concentration and roundness on the palate, with integrated dusty tannins. The finish is mostly savory notes of baking spice, organic earth, and forest floor. In a great spot right now.
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This has developed nicely - even during the past 6 months or so, and is drinking great. Medium body with dark red fruits, spice and a hint of earth. Rather soft and almost lush for an Oregon pinot with lower acidity than I recall from prior bottles, but with plenty of structure, good intensity, great balance and a satisfying finish. While there is no "wow!" here, it is a very enjoyable, easy-drinking wine.
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Mostly red fruits with a hint of spice. Medium body with nice balance and a smooth texture. I found it just a bit simple and straight-forward, but also well-made and without any faults. Would have benefitted from more structure, complexity and depth, but still enjoyable.
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Been on a bit of a Willamette blast these past two weeks. Almost two years since the last Ana - one more after this. Very similar response but I will say now that no further benefit will be reaped from prolonged cellaring; it will not improve further IMHO. Dark purplish red, somewhat muted aroma, dark cherry notes, moderate acidity, representative of the region, not nearly as forceful as the '07 Deux Verts.
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Subtle, but lovely perfumed nose of red fruits and cloves. Elegant, balanced and seamless on the palate with intense dark cherry and spice flavors. Medium body, silky texture, nice grip and a lengthy, just slightly tart finish. Nice combination of intense flavors in an elegant package.
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Been some time between Anas and I am pleased to report that, one year on, things are at least as good if not better. Also somewhat pleased to see consistency, as my notes from last night are quite close to what I recorded previously. Dark purplish red, nose is not massive, but a quintessential dark, dank earthy slightly perfumed. Dark cherry notes, some supple tannins provide structure, a slightly reductive element (?), not so much acidity as I noted before. I see some years remaining in these.
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The most exciting aspect of the Ana is on the nose; she rewards with refulgent, dank barnyard aromas that summon up the Cote d'Or and separate the Willamette from the pretenders in California. The color is quite pale, but do not confuse that with lack of content, for it surely rewards with (tart) red cherries; plenty of acidity here. I thought perhaps the finish was a little short and I wonder if Ana is not already at her best. I believe this is the last vintage from here from Todd.
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Popped & ran through a Vinturi. Opaque cherry color. Cherries & vanilla on the nose. Cherry fruit, earth and black tea notes on the palate. Some tartness on the finish.
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First foray into the Hamina Ana '08 version. It comes with expectation given the accolades generally accorded to this vintage in Oregon. Dark cherry red but not particularly dense. The aroma is not effusive but gradually fills the glass and has that quintessential Oregon take on the Cote d'Or, dark earthy and fragrant, violets and tobacco leaf; on the palate, it is dark, slightly elusive, complex, cherry notes, balanced, mild tannins. A pinot noir in the classic tradition as opposed to the super-rip jammy concoctions often emanating from California.
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Weekend Before Memorial Day Tasting Trip (Willamette Valley Oregon): The nose is complex and shows rich, ripe cherries along with a pork roast done up with herbs and spices. It's elegant on the palate with a tart flavor that hides behind juicy cherry fruit. A herbal note shows on the mid palate as well. Good acidity and mature tannins show through out the experience and a dusty feel sets in on the finish.
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12/28/2022 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:
After this one only two more bottles of Todd Hamina's distinctive orange and white label bottles remain; and they will be gone forever as the aforementioned winemaker has retired from the game. This is the last of my Anas. My last note was seven years ago.
I had stored them vertically (they have screw caps) until a few months ago when they lay horizontal. I noticed a significant sediment on the neck after opening. There is a dusty quality to the pale ruby color, with some bricking around the rim. The bouquet is still in evidence along with the ample cherry fruit, and zero tannins. Clearly, these wines can age well, even under suboptimal storage conditions.
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4/28/2020 - rieslinghoarder Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark and brooding on the nose. Dried blackberry, black currant, black cherries, and figs complement organic earth, wet leaves, leather, and tar. Almost nebbiolo-like in its non-fruit character. Maintains great concentration and roundness on the palate, with integrated dusty tannins. The finish is mostly savory notes of baking spice, organic earth, and forest floor. In a great spot right now.
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12/9/2015 - rickspicks wrote: 91 Points
This has developed nicely - even during the past 6 months or so, and is drinking great. Medium body with dark red fruits, spice and a hint of earth. Rather soft and almost lush for an Oregon pinot with lower acidity than I recall from prior bottles, but with plenty of structure, good intensity, great balance and a satisfying finish. While there is no "wow!" here, it is a very enjoyable, easy-drinking wine.
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7/8/2015 - rickspicks wrote: 90 Points
Mostly red fruits with a hint of spice. Medium body with nice balance and a smooth texture. I found it just a bit simple and straight-forward, but also well-made and without any faults. Would have benefitted from more structure, complexity and depth, but still enjoyable.
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6/9/2015 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:
Been on a bit of a Willamette blast these past two weeks. Almost two years since the last Ana - one more after this. Very similar response but I will say now that no further benefit will be reaped from prolonged cellaring; it will not improve further IMHO. Dark purplish red, somewhat muted aroma, dark cherry notes, moderate acidity, representative of the region, not nearly as forceful as the '07 Deux Verts.
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3/14/2015 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:
Earthy and spicy with like aromas attendant. Perhaps a little blocky and warm. Excellent.
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4/18/2014 - rickspicks wrote: 91 Points
Subtle, but lovely perfumed nose of red fruits and cloves. Elegant, balanced and seamless on the palate with intense dark cherry and spice flavors. Medium body, silky texture, nice grip and a lengthy, just slightly tart finish. Nice combination of intense flavors in an elegant package.
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3/4/2013 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:
Been some time between Anas and I am pleased to report that, one year on, things are at least as good if not better. Also somewhat pleased to see consistency, as my notes from last night are quite close to what I recorded previously. Dark purplish red, nose is not massive, but a quintessential dark, dank earthy slightly perfumed. Dark cherry notes, some supple tannins provide structure, a slightly reductive element (?), not so much acidity as I noted before. I see some years remaining in these.
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1/14/2012 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:
The most exciting aspect of the Ana is on the nose; she rewards with refulgent, dank barnyard aromas that summon up the Cote d'Or and separate the Willamette from the pretenders in California. The color is quite pale, but do not confuse that with lack of content, for it surely rewards with (tart) red cherries; plenty of acidity here. I thought perhaps the finish was a little short and I wonder if Ana is not already at her best. I believe this is the last vintage from here from Todd.
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5/24/2011 - The Wine Write wrote: 88 Points
Popped & ran through a Vinturi. Opaque cherry color. Cherries & vanilla on the nose. Cherry fruit, earth and black tea notes on the palate. Some tartness on the finish.
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5/13/2011 - AWei wrote: 89 Points
Reticent nose upon uncorking the bottle. Earthy and fragrant. This was much better on day 2 when it really opened up.
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12/25/2010 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:
First foray into the Hamina Ana '08 version. It comes with expectation given the accolades generally accorded to this vintage in Oregon. Dark cherry red but not particularly dense. The aroma is not effusive but gradually fills the glass and has that quintessential Oregon take on the Cote d'Or, dark earthy and fragrant, violets and tobacco leaf; on the palate, it is dark, slightly elusive, complex, cherry notes, balanced, mild tannins. A pinot noir in the classic tradition as opposed to the super-rip jammy concoctions often emanating from California.
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5/22/2010 - subtlet wrote: 89 Points
Weekend Before Memorial Day Tasting Trip (Willamette Valley Oregon): The nose is complex and shows rich, ripe cherries along with a pork roast done up with herbs and spices. It's elegant on the palate with a tart flavor that hides behind juicy cherry fruit. A herbal note shows on the mid palate as well. Good acidity and mature tannins show through out the experience and a dusty feel sets in on the finish.
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