TN: 2016 Kelley Fox Wines Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard Star of Bethlehem Flower Block

Dale_McClaran · January 13, 2019, 10:16pm

2016 Kelley Fox Wines Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard Star of Bethlehem Flower Block - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (1/13/2019)
Decanted 6 hrs. Pure, clean, delicate, and lovely came to mind in describing the bouquet, all wrapped in wild strawberry shell. Decieptivley light and lithe on the palate, spices are added to strawberry profile, and the way this gained weight and traction in the glass with a perfectly paired double cut pork chop and wild mushroom risotto was remarkable. Loaded with potential, but drinking so well already. My first Kelley Fox Pinot. I’m a believer. (94 pts.)
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M_Passo · January 13, 2019, 10:56pm

I had I believe the 2015 at the winery and it was 100% whole cluster which gave it an appearance of lightness but tons of spice and material to age. I bought a couple and will try in a year or two. And of course Kelley is a force of her own. Mike

crickey · January 13, 2019, 11:15pm

You and Micky Dolenz both.

Scott_Tallman · January 14, 2019, 12:26am

Great note. Have yet to crack any of the Maresh “block” bottlings, but greatly enjoyed the ones I’ve tasted at the winery.

Had her 2010 Maresh for NYE and it was in the zone with plenty of life left. Love drinking Kelley’s Pinots.

Brandon_R · January 14, 2019, 5:24pm

Really glad to read this TN, Dale. I bought two of these without having tasted a KF wine based on discussions here. They’re on my must-visit next time I trek down to the Willamette Valley.

Jared_Wagner · February 5, 2019, 7:39pm

I drank this wine with Dale and here is my note…

Decanted a full six hours. Super excited to give my first Kelley Fox pinot a go (blown away by the 17 Freedom Hill PB) and in the immortal words of Robin, “Holy F#ck, Batman!” The first smell was such a blast of wild strawberry that it was akin to someone waking me up from a nap tickling my nose by dangling fresh wild strawberries in front of my face. That was followed by a nice bouquet of violets and cherry. Palate was lean and taut, coiled like a cobra ready to pounce on your taste buds. The finish was filled with spices, chalk, and an intense yet pure dose of strawberry. Water cooler wine. 95pts.

Scott_Tallman · February 5, 2019, 7:55pm

For Kelley’s wines, especially those on the younger side, decanting like Jared and Dale did is key to unlocking all they have to offer.

When I first tasted her wines with her in PDX, she brought a few different bottles that were of the most recent vintage (2013) that had been opened earlier in the day. They blew me away like it sounds they did for Jared and Dale. As she was kind enough to gift me the remaining wine in the bottles, the wines continued to sing for the next 24 hours.

When I later did a pop n pour on one of her younger PNs, I thought it was really good, but not the same as the bottles I had with her. Ever since, I always decant for a few hours and the wines are much better for it.

Ian_H · February 5, 2019, 9:08pm

This is a very interesting thread and I think instructive for me.

Last year I tasted the 2015 Maresh Star of Bethlehem with her and it blew me away. Just amazing. I bought four bottles and they shipped them across the country for me.

I tried one not long after returning from that trip. Pop n pour. Wasn’t the same wine I tasted a week prior. Wasn’t flawed, just flat and off. That bottle lasted to night 3, stored in fridge vacuum sealed on nights 1 and 2. By night 3 it was prime time, almost as good as the one I tasted in Oregon.

Sounds like these just might need air if consumed on younger side.

Dale_McClaran · February 6, 2019, 1:32am

Thanks for the replies Scott & Ian and Jared, thanks for formally gracing us with your impressions though since we have been yapping about how good this was, comes as no surprise.

In my experience, (which pales in comparison to many on this board) you really can’t over air young, high end pinot. Unlike say decanting young Nebbiolo based wines which can be as slippery as wrestling an eel.

Jared_Wagner · February 6, 2019, 5:59pm

I drank this wine with Dale and here is my note…

Decanted a full six hours. Super excited to give my first Kelley Fox pinot a go (blown away by the 17 Freedom Hill PB) and in the immortal words of Robin, “Holy F#ck, Batman!” The first smell was such a blast of wild strawberry that it was akin to someone waking me up from a nap tickling my nose by dangling fresh wild strawberries in front of my face. That was followed by a nice bouquet of violets and cherry. Palate was lean and taut, coiled like a cobra ready to pounce on your taste buds. The finish was filled with spices, chalk, and an intense yet pure dose of strawberry. Water cooler wine. 95pts.

For Kelley’s wines, especially those on the younger side, decanting like Jared and Dale did is key to unlocking all they have to offer.

When I first tasted her wines with her in PDX, she brought a few different bottles that were of the most recent vintage (2013) that had been opened earlier in the day. They blew me away like it sounds they did for Jared and Dale. As she was kind enough to gift me the remaining wine in the bottles, the wines continued to sing for the next 24 hours.

When I later did a pop n pour on one of her younger PNs, I thought it was really good, but not the same as the bottles I had with her. Ever since, I always decant for a few hours and the wines are much better for it.

Scott,

Sincerely appreciate the advice regarding the amount of air these need. I’m a neophyte when it comes to Oregon pinot and specifically, Kelley Fox. Can’t wait to drink some more!