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Twill Cellars NV Red
No more Christmas trees, she said.
With a twinkle in his eye, Darrel Roby said he got into the wine business because “I’m just a little bit crazy!”
When Darrel and Molly bought the land that would become known as Molly’s Vineyard, it was a Christmas tree farm. After one season tending trees (and the insane rush that is the holiday harvest), they decided to plant something a little more compelling – grapes.
They had a good program selling grapes to local winemakers until disaster struck – and a buyer dropped out at the last minute. Scrambling, and calling on a few friends for help, Darrel and Molly learned how to make wine themselves. And they haven’t looked back.
They combine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their estate with grapes sourced throughout the region. There’s a professional winemaker on board now, Chris Dickson, and they’ve converted Darrel’s old workshop into a gorgeous, intimate tasting room.
It’s the perfect spot in the suburbs, much closer than driving down into wine country, but just far enough to feel out of the bustle of the city.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Twill Cellars, West Linn, Oregon
NV Red
“Red”? That’s it. That’s the whole name? Yup.
In 2010, “Red” was the name of an action movie with an all-star cast – Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, Richard Dreyfuss.
Like the movie, this wine produced in 2021 is an ensemble – an intentional blend – of grapes from some of Oregon’s most storied vineyards: 30% rosé of Pinot Noir, 46% Pinot Noir, 20% Syrah and 4% Gamay. It’s “NV”, or non-vintage, meaning the wines in the blend come from different years.
Aromas of red fruit and spice, including strawberry, dark raspberry, and rose petal and flavors of raspberry and cranberry. The rosé in the blend helps lift the aromatics. The silky texture comes from the Pinot Noir, savoriness and spice from the Syrah, and Gamay Noir comes in at the end to provide a little oomph.
This is a great wine for this transitional season. Powerful enough to hold up to a rich stew on a cold day but still light enough to pair with salmon and salad on a warm day. Cheers!
A Cellar 503 selection in November 2022, Thanksgiving Wines Willamette Valley | Gamay Noir, Pinot Noir, Syrah
