May Club Release Wines

2018 Estate Triple Block Pinot Noir 

Site specific to its core, this is the terroir of Sweet Cheeks Vineyards in a bottle. Lively and bright aromas of red raspberry, cherry, and cranberry underscored by toasted hazelnut, sweet tea, and violets for balance and finesse. Juicy waves of red fruit surf along the palate with fine grained tannins and subtle acidity. Cinnamon and star anise join the red fruit nuances – giving it great depth and complexity and finishing long and full of fall spices. 

Pairing Suggestions

Humboldt Fog, Mt. Tam Triple Cream, and Gruyere cheeses are all complex, yet light and are a perfect match to a complex, yet light and elegant, Pinot Noir. Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon is the ultimate pairing with Pinot Noir; as well as, Paté, Charcuterie, and Toasted Crostini topped with Brie, Strawberry Pinot Noir Jam and Arugula (see photo).

Fun Facts

Our “Triple Block” Pinot Noir got its name from the vineyard blocks of wine grapes that were used for its production: Kody Block (named after our founder’s beloved Black Lab), Wild Child Block (for its unruly and untamed growing patterns), and Grandpa Block (our oldest estate block – planted in 1978).

2019 Reserve Pinot Gris

Skin contact and barrel aging add uncommon characteristics like a light salmon hue, a fuller body, and a creamier than usual mouthfeel – making this a super unique Pinot Gris. Aromas of fresh sliced pears, yellow apple, and orange blossom are highlighted by sweet spice. A lush and creamy mouthfeel on the front leads to flavors of pears, white peach, and candied ginger with subtle acidity and zippy spice on a surprisingly crisp and refreshing finish. 

Pairing Suggestions

Meaty fish like Lemon Roasted Halibut is perfect with a fuller-bodied Pinot Gris, as well as Oven Roasted Chicken, Thai Coconut Curry Chicken, Creamy Lemon Garlic Scallops, and Dungeness Crab Salad. The best cheeses with a complex Pinot Gris include Cottage Cheese, Cream Cheese, Clothbound Cheddar, and fresh Parmesan. Also, try it with a super tasty Mini Rosemary and Almond Cheese Ball with Pretzel Stick.

Fun Fact

Pinot Gris is one of the darkest skinned white wine grapes in the world – at harvest it’s a dark agate color with copper overtones. That darker color of skin is left in contact with the grape’s white juice for a specific time chosen by our winemaker, Leo, and it’s exactly what gives it its unique golden-salmon coloring. 

2020 Estate Pinot Noir Rosé 

Oregon’s fresh clean air and rainbow-filled days of springtime are a perfect match with Rosé of Pinot Noir as it shimmers in the glass with its salmon hue. Smell and taste the terroir with expressive aromas and flavors of strawberries, watermelon, and fresh sliced honeydew melon underscored by a vein of zesty key lime and a hint of basil and red raspberry. From the first sip to the crisp and super refreshing finish, juicy mouthwatering acidity rounds out the fruit characters, ending with a sublime balance.

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with Prosciutto Wrapped Peaches, Quiche, Grilled Lobster Tail or BBQ Grilled Shrimp. Best cheeses include goat cheese, feta, rocchetta, and appenzeller. 

Fun Fact

The fruit sourced for the 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé came from our Boss’ Block and Kody Block – a wine we know our late founder, Dan, would have appreciated since it blended his block of grapes with grapes from the block named after his beloved dog, Kody. 

2018 Wild Child Pinot Noir

Our Wild Child Block earned its name from its unruly and untamable nature. In spite of its wild side, the fruit from this block consistently results in a wine of elegance and grace. Aromas of cherries, cranberries, and violets are followed by savory notes of herbs, fall spices, and mushrooms. Lush and juicy with a silky mouthfeel, waves of fruit and spice are met with streamlined acidity and fine tannins, ending with a blissful balance.  

Pairing Suggestions

Salmon is Pinot Noirs soul mate, so Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon is always a good choice. Other great pairings include Grilled Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Smoky Glazed Ham, and Mushroom Risotto. Cheeses include Cave Aged Gruyere, Taleggio, Rogue River Blue, and aged Edam.    

Fun Fact

Named for the untamable way the vines grow, we celebrate the wild nature of this particular estate block with this very special Pinot Noir dedicated to using fruit solely from the Wild Child Block. 

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s not very often that a Cabernet Sauvignon is described as smooth and elegant, but this beauty is exactly that with its aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, spice, and cassis followed by notes of herbs, cigar box, and vanilla. Rich and full of finesse, complex layers of flavors and textures coat the palate while well integrated tannins and bright acidity lift it, finishing long and full of earth, baking spice, and sweet tobacco. 

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with a smorgasbord of charcuterie meats and robust cheeses Filet Mignon, BBQ Beef Burgers, Stuffed Portobello Mushroom, and Beef Wellington. Cheese pairings include robust and bolder cheeses (so the wine does not overpower the food), like Clothbound Cheddar, Aged Edam, Aged Gouda, and all sorts of Smoked Cheeses.

Fun Fact

Cabernet Sauvignon is the offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc and is the most widely planted wine grape in the world.