Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Constituent Services, 3/27/2019

  (Brooks Pinot Blanc) Hello friends. One of the best parts of spring is the return of an offer series we like to call constituent services. Over the past few years, we’ve recieve one consistent message via e-mails, warehouse-shelf sales, and in-person conversations: More sparkling wines. More white wines. Our constituent services series is a chance for us to respond to those squeaky-wheel list members by offering an array of options for those looking to stock up on white and sparkling wines. And our staff loves it, too. Many of us at Full Pull have shifted our own collecting/cellaring towards a higher proportion of whites and bubblies. They’re just so damned rewarding to age, and all it takes is a few years before they show signs of maturity, signs of tertiary complexity. They’re also fabulous, versatile food wines. Today, we’re kicking off 2019’s constituent services with three wonderful spring whites: Though this is the first wine we’ve been able to offer from Brooks, both Paul and I came to love these wines from our experiences at Oregon Pinot Camp. (Yes, it’s a thing!) Brooks is probably best known for their experimental nature and high-quality winemaking when it comes to Oregon Riesling, but it was the 2017 Pinot Blanc that caught our attention at a recent tasting. Pinot Blanc may be the greatest underrated white variety—especially the high quality juice that is now coming out of the Willamette Valley. Brooks’ version in sourced entirely from Crannell vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills. This organically farmed site’s volcanic soils sit 550 feet above sea level. The listed alcohol is 12.8%, and the nose begins full of pears, apricots, lime zest, and steely minerals. The palate is downright delicious—ripe and bright—full of stone fruit, orange winter citrus, honeysuckle, and subtle green savories. The acid is lively, the finish is fresh, and the pairing options are never ending. Wine Enthusiast: Copyrighted material withheld.