Focus on Bergström Winery
"Winemaking Begins and Ends in the Vineyard"
by Jean Yates, May 2005
Although some of the Bergström 2003 Pinot noirs have sold out, we are pleased to be able to offer a number of their wines in 750ml and larger formats this month. The two super buys of the Bergström wines are the magnums of the Wine Spectator 95 point Arcus Pinot noir 03 and the Bergström Pinot noir Cumberland 03, both highly rated award winners that stand out in a vintage of some excellent wines.
The Difficult 2003 Vintage
Bergström Winery believes that winemaking begins and ends in the vineyard.
Josh Bergström, winemaker and co-owner of Bergström Winery says: "more than 90 percent of what you enjoy in a glass of wine depends on a vineyard's and a farmer's performance in any given year".
"We're farming all the time and in the vineyard all year long. We know exactly what's going on in our vineyards," said Bergström, who works the fields all year, spending much more time in the vineyard than many winemakers.
"It's in the vineyards that we make our wines."
Bergström Wines produces only about 5,000 cases of wine per year so they can assure customers the best in every bottle, every year.
The 2003 Vintage was perhaps the warmest overall vintage in Oregon since 1983. The growing season was steady and warm with higher than normal daytime temperatures in June, July and August. Skilled winemakers produced excellent wines, even in the face of difficult heat spikes. Josh's careful attention to the vineyard paid off with these beautiful wines.
The Wines
Bergstrom Pinot noir Arcus Vineyard 2003
Magnums only $185.00
Wine Spectator rating 95 points!
This is the last vintage of Bergstrom's Arcus Pinot noir and it is quite a collector's item. One of Oregon's highest rated Pinot Noirs for the last 3 years (Wine Spectator 94 points for the 2002), the 2003 Arcus is bound to join its older brothers as a classic. Almost opaque, with a deep black-ruby color and purple hues, the Arcus is loaded with decadence!
From Archery Summit's Arcus Vineyard. 200 cases produced, this is the last vintage of this wine from Bergstrom, as the Archery Summit winery is taking all the fruit for their Arcus Vineyard designate Pinot noir. Highly recommended.
Bergstrom Pinot noir Berstrom Vineyard 03 $145
Magnums only
Wine Spectator rating 92 points: " "Dark and dense, focusing its tarry currant, plum, and pepper flavors into a vivid beam that persists through the fine-grained finish. Firm tannins need time to soften."
Bergström Pinot noir Cumberland Reserve 2003750 ml $35/$31.50
THE BEST DEAL OF THE Bergström PINOTS
Recently rated 92pts by the Wine Spectator: "Earthy mineral flavors add extra dimension to this richly textured, elegant Pinot, offering raspberry and cherry notes as the finish persists against firm tannins." H.S.
This wine is a proprietary blend of Pinot Noir from the Hyland, Bergström and Shea vineyards, melding the best aspects of Oregon's volcanic and sedimentary soils. Ruby red in color, the 03 Cumberland offers heady aromas of back raspberries, ripe cherries and toasty oak spices. A powerful Pinot Noir blend from sterling vineyards, impressive now but should unfold with careful cellaring.
Bergstrom Pinot noir de Lancellotti Vineyard 2003750 ml $54/$48.60
AVALON CELLAR SELECTION
Magnum $126
Jeroboam $246
call Avalon to order large format bottles 541-752-7418
Produced from a mere 3 tons of fruit off the 8 acre De Lancellotti Vineyard, owned by the Bergström family, this scarlet-hued Pinot Noir offers gorgeous focused aromas of black cherries, brambly fruits, caramel and toasty new French oak. Bright sappy fruit flavors are enveloped in a balanced acid/tannin structure that make this wine the best cellar candidate of the vintage.
Bergström Pinot noir Broadley Vineyard 2003Large format bottles only are still in stock:
Magnum $105.00
Jeroboam (3.0 Liter) $205.00
call Avalon to order large format bottles 541-752-7418
This deeply colored, almost opaque wine is richly aromatic and well structured with broad shoulders and a huge presence in the mouth. With intense earthy nuances and rich berry fruit, this wine has the stuffing to please now and last for some time with appropriate cellaring.
Bergström Winery Pinot noir Shea Vineyard 2003Large format bottles only are still in stock
Magnum $125
Jereboam (3.0 liter) $245
call Avalon to order large format bottles 541-752-7418
With an intense black cherry essence, this wine's bouquet is intoxicating, showing off the blackberry, black currant, dark cherry and spices that Willakenzie soils are known for. The mouthfeel richly contrasts ripe and fresh fruit flavors, bursting with intensity, and leading to a silky finish that lasts and lasts.
Bergström Pinot Gris 03 $18/$17.10SUMMER WHITE - DRINKING BEAUTIFULLY
From Oregon's ripest vintage in two decades, this is a richly flavored, intensely fruity Pinot gris. Rich aromas of candied pears, Meyer lemons and ruby red grapefruit lead the way to enormous creamy texture and flavors of exotic citrus fruits, sweet spices, and pear compote. All are enveloped in a mouth watering, beautifully balanced acidity. This Pinot Gris will pair well with many dishes - just in time for lively spring and summer fare! Drink now through 2010.
