Community Tasting Notes 6

• Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:

  July 4, 2019 - A tragic change in circumstances since the previous bottle with the untimely death of Jesus Guillen - so cruel and unfair. We open this in his memory, with hope that the name will live on with Guillen Family Vineyards. I will say again that this has to be one of the best value Willamette pinots for the price: brilliant ruby red, evocative aroma, lush cherry fruit, moderate acidity, some length.

  1 person found this helpful Comment

• fred o. Likes this wine:

  November 26, 2018 - fermented with native yeast and 100% whole clusters, then aged on its lees for 11 months in 5% new French oak barrels.
  slightly cloudy burgundy color. Nose red cherries with an herbal element, quite aromatic with a strongly floral note. Palate bright red cherries initially, some black cherries/blackberries per J; some earth, good acidity, mouthwatering tartness on the finish.
  
  Definitely very approachable right now, nicely balanced and well-made. Very enjoyable to drink. 91 pts. RIP Jesus Guillen

  1 person found this helpful Comment

• Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:

  April 14, 2018 - We have been huge fans of Jesus Guillen since he became the head wine-maker at White Rose back around 2007 - 2008. His is a fantastic story of coming from nowhere to making some of the best wines in the Willamette. We were very excited to finally get to try some of his own label wines, fortunately tracking some down at a Portland wine shop.
  
  Not disappointed at all! The Esteban is at the lower end of his spectrum but my goodness does it deliver; perhaps one of the best quality pinots available near $20. Medium purplish red with a perfumed, floral, slightly sweet aroma; tart cherries on the palate with some clove and nutmeg, just a little funk and a little grip.

  1 person found this helpful Comment

• tantotinto Likes this wine: 90 points

  November 9, 2017 - Tasted a bit heavy at opening but settled quickly with a little air. Ripe cherry, cinnamon, clove and savory. There is some nuance here. Just to my taste on the fruit. It is there and it is tasty but it is not cloying. Delicious and a superb value at this price point.

  Comment

• UpfromtheCellar wrote: 90 points

  October 23, 2017 - This is a qualified 90. Not a 90 in the sense of lasting greatness. Not a 90 in the sense of depth and profundity. No, its a 90 in the sense of here and now, drinkability. This is an early drinking cuvee and at probably just a little past two years from vine, it certainly is. Its light with a nice blend of savory, medium fruits, great perfumed nose and a streak a minerality that cuts and yet holds everything together nicely. Its not overdone, over extracted, over everthing'd but its not a light weight rose in drag either pretending to be something its not. Its just a really nice O-noir for here and now.
  
  Purchased in Portland over the summer, not sure its available on the east coast or outside of Oregon for that matter. So take a trip. No candy, no cola, Oh that a simple C-noir could be as nice.......
  
  So my question to the Guillen Family - as Esteban ages will you update his picture on the label? Please do - it would be cute.

  2 people found this helpful Comments (2)

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Wine Definition

• Vintage 2015
• Type Red
• Producer Guillen Family
• Varietal Pinot Noir
• Designation Esteban
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region Oregon
• SubRegion Willamette Valley
• Appellation Willamette Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 59 (37%)
• Consumed 101 (63%)

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