2015 Baer Winery Ursa

JebDunnuck.com

• By Jeb Dunnuck
  The 2016s From Washington State, 4/11/2019, (See more on JebDunnuck.com...)

  (Baer Winery Ursa Red) Login and sign up and see review text.

• By Stephen Tanzer
  Focus on Washington: The New Normal (Nov 2018), 11/1/2018, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Baer Winery Red Wine Ursa Washington Red) Login and sign up and see review text.

JamesSuckling.com

• By James Suckling
  3/16/2018, (See more on JamesSuckling.com...)

  (Baer Winery Columbia Valley Ursa, Red, United States) Login and sign up and see review text.

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Ursa (+EVENT Reminder), 4/28/2019

  (Baer Ursa) Albino Rocca Tasting at Full Pull EVENT: We will be hosting a complimentary tasting of the wines from Albino Rocca for our list members on Thursday, May 2nd from 5:00PM-7:00PM. Albino Rocca is among the leading modern wineries in Piedmont, and has long been one of our favorite producers from the region. Stop by anytime on Thursday evening—feel free to bring your friends—and taste through five wines from the current Albino Rocca lineup. Some of the wines will be available for purchase that day only. No need to RSVP if you’re coming to taste, but please do try to make an appointment in advance if you will be picking up wine. ---- Hello friends. We have terrific pricing today on a list-favorite wine from the outstanding Baer Winery, one that is normally offered at a $43 release price. This wine—made by Erica Orr—delivers great pleasure and over-delivers even at its normal tariff in the $40s. Anyone looking for wines that look (and drink) like $60 bottles should pay careful attention. For a good primer on this winery, whose story is one of tragedy and renewal, I recommend Andy Perdue’s article from August 2015 in Great Northwest Wine. Erica has been making these wines since 2007 and their style, grace, and strength have never wavered. Plus, as a bonus below, we have access to a wine from Erica’s own label—Orr Wines—a restaurant darling around Seattle and a dreamy companion for the coming season of sun. Wine Spectator: Copyrighted material withheld. This wine has really become a phenomenon—both with our list members and the general public. It landed on Wine Spectator’s 2011 Top 100 list (spot #6) for the 2008 vintage, and then again on 2015’s Top 100 (spot #28) for the 2012 vintage. The Spectator list is all about quality and price—Baer is a great example that wines don’t need to cost a sawbuck to be a great value. Baer’s wines are 100% sourced from Stillwater Creek Vineyard, a fantastic site whose grapes are used by wineries like Corliss, Saviah, and Rotie. Planted in 2000, the vineyard’s 235 acres sit southward facing on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills. Ursa is a right-bank Bordeaux blend, predominantly Cab Franc and Merlot (38% each), rounded out with Cabernet Sauvignon (22%) and Malbec (2%); handpicked and aged for about two years in 100% French oak (a mix of new and used) before bottling in summer 2017. It begins with an attractive, moody nose of dark fruit, dusty earth, and cedar, with aromatic lift and lovely savory nuance. The palate is a intense yet charming blend of generous Merlot and structured Cab Franc. This is elegant wine with robust structure, offering heaps of complexity. It will only get better with age.