We don’t get much discussion of them here. I figured maybe they were owned by a multinational corporation, but nope, they seem to be family owned and operated. Do we not discuss because their operation is too big to be cool? Or their wines in a style not appreciated by the board? Something else? Anyway do you like the wines?
Also, what are their Evolution wines? Their website doesn’t really say clearly. I’d guess the SB labels are pricier estate fruit, and the Evolution are cheaper negociant fruit. What do you think of the quality of these wines in general?
Ok, now that I’ve asked, I’ll say why. I picked up some 2021 Evolution Chardonnay at a local Costco for $13 and thought it was high QPR. Profound? No. But a very good Chardonnay on the low oak / good freshness side of the spectrum. It didn’t feel manufactured as so many cheaper wines do.
Maybe I have the Chardonnay palate of a yak, but it really was good. On a par with Tan Fruit’s new multi-state cuvée, and a few steps behind the 2020 Walter Scott Bois Moi, but still, that price made it an easy buy for a weeknight white.
I visited Sokol Blosser at their tasting room in 2019, and I was not overly impressed. It was the only winery we visited in Willamette that we did not buy at. I’ve heard similar stories of folks not loving their wines
I had a similiar experience. Visited a couple of years ago, along with other WV wineries. Also the only one we passed on making a purchase. It’s unfortunate, as they are one of the “heritage” WV producers. Perhaps they lost their mojo along the way? Assuming they ever had it.
Had a 2013 Dundee Hills Estate Pinot on the cruise ship we just got off of - one of the least expensive bottles on the list and though not ‘great’, it was definitely worth the tariff.
Like a lot of family wineries, as they got closer to transitioning to next generation there was an opportunity for improvement. The wines were always solid and some good values, the higher end was okay value for Oregon SV outside of Orchard Block.
Fast forward, and the 2019s are a really good inflection point to revisit the Single Vineyard Pinot lineup. Pinot Gris and Rose has always been solid, as has Dundee Pinot Noir. They have also started to release some sparkling that is really good with 2017 and 2018 vintages of Rose and BdB.
