Drink Now: Carabella Magenté Pinot Noir Rosé 2012 and Dijon 76 Chardonnay 2010

Located in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, a sub AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Carabella Vineyards is ideally situated on a southeast facing slope at an elevation of 500 – 600 feet above sea level – a perfect location for growing Pinot Noir, Dijon Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.  Hailing from Colorado with a firm belief that making wine is all about the vineyard site, winemaker and geologist Mike Hallock searched for twelve years to locate a site he believed to obtain a combination of the best and highest quality Oregon and Burgundy terroirs.

With an extremely pleasing previous experience with the 2010 Carabella Pinot Noir, which was one of the twelve bottles of Oregon Pinot Noir that I received in the Best Case Scenario, I was super excited to sample two new releases from Carabella: 2012 Pinot Noir Rosé and the 2010 Dijon 76 Chardonnay.

Carabella 2012 Magenté Pinot Noir Rosé ($17):  This had to be one of the most beautifully hued Rosés I have ever seen.  Complex floral, strawberry and Bing cherry aromas and flavors were highlighted by alluring spices that flowed in silky waves from the front of the palate to the back.  Mid palate bright acidity rounded out the fruit, making it smooth, refreshing, extremely well balanced and one of the best Rosés I’ve had all spring.  Fermented in stainless steel, Mike Hallack decided his first ever Rosé should be cold soaked on Carabella’s very dark skinned Pinot Gris 152 Pomace, which imparted the gorgeous color; as well as, giving it the beautiful complex aromas and flavors.

Carabella 2010 Dijon 76 Chardonnay ($27):  As many of my regular readers know, I am a huge fan of Oregon Chardonnay and a firm believer that it should be considered one of our signature grapes – right alongside Pinot Noir.  Aromas of pears, honeysuckle, Meyer lemons and a hint of wet stone enter onto the palate with a super-pleasing citrus-zest.  Green apple, clove and a tiny hint of vanilla are highlighted by refreshing minerality that is simply superb with the fruit and spice flavors. Unlike some Chardonnays that have a tendency to feel heavy on the palate, this one is more light and crisp, yet still retains excellent depth of character.  Fermented in 100% percent French oak barrels, with 1/6 being new oak, the estate Chardonnay was sourced from two different blocks –  one being a cooler site than the other and each contributing different characteristics.  This Carabella Chardonnay could easily have a much higher price tag.

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Note: These were provided to me for review purposes