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Atticus Wine 2015 Pinot Noir
On vacation, they decided to stay...
Who hasn’t been on vacation and dreamed of chucking it all and staying right there? Well, that’s exactly what Ximena Orrego and Guy Insley did in 2004.
After tasting a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir at a restaurant in Florida, they decided to travel to the Willamette Valley for vacation. On a lark, they asked a realtor to show them some land. One thing led to another, and soon they were planting vines just outside of Yamhill, Oregon.
It was just another adventure for a couple that’s led a global life. Ximena is from Peru and has lived in Venezuela and British Columbia. Guy was born in Hong Kong, raised in France (and served in the French army), and lived in Scotland.
By 2007, the vines were maturing, and they moved to Oregon with their two young children in tow. Ximena took winemaking classes at Chemeketa Community College and interned at Raptor Ridge under the watchful eye of winemaker Scott Shull.
Today, Atticus is growing deliberately slowly, up to just 450 cases in 2017. It’s that intentional approach that’s winning over fans that discover their wines. Now it’s your turn!
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Atticus Wine, Yamhill, Oregon
2015 Pinot Noir
Part of the Willamette Valley AVA, the Yamhill-Carlton AVA has unique growing conditions that create unique wines. Surrounded by the Coast Mountain Range which soars up to 3000 ft. and provides a ‘rain shadow’ effect over the area. The Chehalem Mountain is to the north and the Dundee Hills are to the east.
With well-drained marine sedimentary soils, the vines stop growing shoots and leaves earlier here than other areas in the valley, leading to riper fruit, even in cooler growing seasons. This results in a darker, more intense Pinot Noir.
The Atticus Pinot Noir has a lush, fragrant nose of sweet blueberries and floral notes. The palate reminds you of fleshy plums, brambles, and earthiness. Despite its dark color and powerful fruit, this is an elegant wine that is well balanced and has a long finish with hints of coffee and anise.
Less than 300 cases made.
A Cellar 503 selection in May 2018, Women Winemakers Yamhill-Carlton | Pinot Noir
