TN: 2008 and 2011 Matello Pinot Noirs

WINE TALK
#1
  • 2008 Matello Pinot Noir Whistling Ridge Vineyard Ribbon Ridge - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge (9/18/2015)
    Drank over two days. This wine is very intense and I’d say this wine isn’t ready to drink without a long decant. Nice mix of black and red fruit with a great floral component. There’s also a slight bitter grapefruit note along with some gravel. The whole cluster is evident here and the wine is chewy/crunchy. High acid as always. Pretty serious, complex and age worthy stuff and the fruit is still going strong.

  • 2011 Matello Pinot Noir Durant - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (9/18/2015)
    This one has really opened up in the past six months. It is now starting to scream Dundee Hills with its forward red fruited profile. Strawberries, cherries, raspberries, watermelon and roses leap from the glass. It is a little light on the mid-palate but refreshing and delicious, bringing one back for more. There is just the right amount of caramel notes in the background to add a little depth. I’m happy to see Marcus working in this AVA. Excellent!

Posted from CellarTracker

#2

Thanks for the note on the '11 Durant. I haven’t tasted that one, yet. The '10 and '12 are killer.

#3

The '11 Whistling Ridge was very nice and tempted me to buy some more. I haven’t tried the '11 Durant yet and looking forward to trying one soon. Thanks for the notes.

#4

I’d hold that '11 WR. They tend to be some of the more backward wines in the Willamette Valley.

#5

Has anyone tried the Matello 2008 Winter’s Hill pinot lately?

#6

Never tried any Winter’s Hill. How is it?

#7

Thanks for the notes, Ron. Drinking a 2011 Matello Durant PN and a 2011 Cameron Clos Eleqtrique Chard over Thanksgiving weekend 2013 in Portland made me realize I had been seriously neglecting OR and I’ve been trying to make up for it ever since. Love what Marcus does with Durant fruit (WR as well).

I have a fair amount of '11s, but won’t touch for a few years. Hoping to track down more '07s, '08s and 10s.

#8

We seem to be on a similar glide path. Every time I pull out a Durant and read the notes, they say wait and it will get better, so I put it back. I have a few '07s left, the others are gone while waiting and none of the WA wines I have fill the void. I open a Syrah, BDX and a Pinot place on the counter for the masses and the next thing I notice is the PN is empty. [snort.gif]

#9

I think the 11’s deserve time to be at their best and will hold for at least another decade but they are starting to come around. I’ve opened several in the last year and the rough edges are diminishing considerably, leaving lovely, fresh and bright wines. If you bought a fair amount I think you can now safely chip away.