Burghound

• By Allen Meadows
  October 2010, Issue #40, (See more on Burghound...)

  (Scott Paul Wines Pinot Noir - La Paulée Villages Red) Subscribe to see review text.

• By Josh Raynolds
  July/August 2010, IWC Issue #151, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Scott Paul Wine Cellars Pinot Noir La Paulee Willamette Valley) Login and sign up and see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  2/7/2011, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (LA PAULEE Scott Paul Pinot Noir) Terroir Dear Friends, In the wake of Parker passing his domestic torch to Antonio Galloni, I ask the age-old question that has caused me heaps of trouble in the past: does American terroir exist in wine? Usually, when I present this question, it ruffles the feathers of many - especially a cavalcade of new-school winemakers and their disciples that send me pages of data and examples that they believe showcase exactly what our great nation has to offer the wine world. Nine times out of ten, the data I receive furthers nothing. Occasionally, it bares repeating like a skip on a White Stripes LP (Rhys, as an example). In this case, the case for terroir in our country may be best understood by tasting a wine that’s been highly anticipated from an exuberant vintage that gave most of the winemakers in Oregon material of a very high order. When confronted with something ripe, succulent and delicious (right off the vine), it is tempting to allow the sugar and texture to seduce (especially with Pinot Noir) - it is far more difficult to showcase that near-perfect fruit in an understated, showcase of terroir that gives first pass to subtlety while allowing the echo of the grand material to weave its complex dimension in the background. Enter the 2008 Scott Paul La Paulée Pinot Noir, a wine that defines terroir without exaggeration. Scott Wright (Scott Paul): “Every year in the cellar there are certain lots of wine that simply jump out at you with their intensity of flavors, multiple layers of complexity, and superior length. These are the lots that comprise the La Paulée bottling. Rather than pre-determine which vineyards or blocks this wine will come from year-to-year, we would rather select the best of what the vintage has given us, and craft the best wine we possibly can.” Indeed he has. I don’t have my Burghound database but (if I recall) this wine was among Allen’s highest rated examples ever from Oregon (certainly the highest rated/lowest priced) and it’s not a surprise – the 2008 La Paulée has actual presence on a low-alcohol frame (13.0?) with a spindle of stone, skins, nuanced fruit and fiber that asks the taster as many questions as it answers. Is it still delicious despite its restraint? Yes. Is it ripe and full-fruited from the top vintage? Yes, but it is also varietal and balanced without any excess weight, glycerin or other. It is Pinot Noir, from American terroir and that pleases this taster without further explanation. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for literal, precise and unobstructed expression of the painter’s palette in a vintage that tends toward the sweet (and too succulent)... This parcel is directly from the winery cellar with perfect provenance: 2008 Scott-Paul “La Paulée” Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) - FIRST COME FIRST SERVED at this price up to 24/person until we run out (unlike the 2007 version, the 2008 La Paulée is on strict allocation - we cannot obtain a second shipment) To order: niki@garagistewine.com This parcel is set to arrive in a few weeks (please check OARS for local pick up after March 1st). It will ship during the Spring shipping season. Out of state orders will be held for free under ideal storage conditions (56 degrees/70%humidity) until shipping is possible. Locals may pick up at their leisure. For current local pick up and arrival/ship information, please see your OARS link below (at the bottom of this offer) - don’t know how to access your OARS? Simply click the link and see your account. You can also paste the link into your browser. If you are having trouble with your link or your account, please contact: support@garagistewine.com NO SALES TO RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA OR5988 Click here to view the status of your orders in O.A.R.S.