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J. Scott Cellars 2013 Avanté
Don't make him pick his favorite...
Jonathan Oberlander, winemaker and founder of J. Scott Cellars, loves experimenting, dabbling, and playing with new varietals and unusual blends.
As he told the Register-Guard in 2013, "I have a buddy who has only made Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.To me that's like painting in the colors red and blue only. You have this entire palette; why limit yourself? I go for it." And he does. J. Scott features twenty-two different wines.
Which one is his favorite? Don't ask - he'll tell you it's like picking your favorite child: they're all great!
J. Scott Cellars is part of the burgeoning urban winery scene in Eugene, with a facility in an industrial park on the outskirts of town. The brick-and-mortar location is a nice step in the evolution of J. Scott.
Without a personal fortune to sink into wine, he's bootstrapped his way up, starting with a production of just 100 cases when he started - and closing in on 2000 today.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
J. Scott Cellars, Eugene, Oregon
2013 Avanté
Avanté is what Jonathan Oberlander is known for - and he has fans across the country who clamor for its release. It changes every year, though it's always a big and powerful red wine with unique grapes that blend together into a delicious wine.
This 2013 edition features Portuguese varietals Tinto Cao and Touriga Nacional and the Spanish Tempranillo varietal. (There's a splash of Petite Sirah in there, too.)
Never heard of Tinto Cao and Touriga Nacional? You're not alone. There is very little grown in Oregon and all of it comes from just a few vineyards in the Rogue Valley. Traditionally used in Spain and Portugal to make Port, these are intense red wines that naturally pair well with the Tempranillo. (Close your eyes while you sip, and think "chocolate cake" - wow! - those are the port flavors showing up, but without the sweetness and higher alcohol.)
This is a rich and delicious wine that will go well with the lingering winter weather and will be excellent with stew or pot roast. But keep it on the table for your chocolate dessert!
A Cellar 503 selection in March 2017, Urban Wineries Outside Portland Oregon | Tempranillo, Tinto Cao, Touriga Nacional
