Good at $75 or $50, Great at $33 or $25.50
2019 Authentique Pinot Noir Corridor + 2017 Authentique Pinot Noir Keeler Ranch
December 28, 2024
2019 Authentique Pinot Noir Corridor
2017 Authentique Pinot Noir Keeler Ranch
Good at $75 or $50, Great at $33. or $25.50
I've tasted Authentique Cellars pinot noirs for over a decade and found them good and solid but not compelling at the prices we would have had to charge. Authentique's quiet and composed style of wine is both its virtue and commercial lack. Their wines are solid and marvelously composed with depth and very good concentration but do not have the flash that makes them instantly appealing to the casual drinker.
Their local distributor has decided not to continue with them and offered their remaining stock to us at much lower prices. After tasting them last week, I found them compelling at their new pricing. You will also.
 |
2019 Authentique Cellars Pinot Noir Corridor
At our price, head and shoulders above any other
The 2019 has good density and richness. Its concentration and depth stand head and shoulders above any other Willamette pinot we can offer at the price.
Decanter "A blend of vineyard sites around the Eola Amity Hills creates a compelling and concentrated Pinot Noir in the beautiful 2019 vintage. Wildly aromatic with notes of pine boughs, turned garden soils and forest floor, backed by plenty of ripe berries. There is a wonderful underlying savoury bass line that courses throughout the palate. With the melange of red and blue berries, early season plum and pine tar, there is ample nuance with whispers of savoury herbs and smoky, earthen minerality."
2019 Authentique Pinot Noir Corridor; Aroma: restrained, with dark, savory fruit; Mouth: clean, pretty refined, smooth, clean acid, fleshy to the tongue, fat fruity, lightly herbal, very good substance; Very Good - Excellent $29.99; Case, $305.88 ($25.49)
2017 Keeler Estate Pinot Noir
What a difference a year makes
Keeler Estate Vineyard is a Demeter-certified biodynamic site on a southwest-facing hillside in the heart of the Eola-Amity Hills. Shallow and diverse sedimentary soils of an ancient ocean bed, moderate elevations, and the cooling influence of the Van Duzer Corridor result in vibrant, intense fruit with distinct character and layers of complexity.
A year ago, the Decanter critic rated this highly in his review.
"This tightly wound Pinot Noir is waiting to show itself, but the potential is apparent. A variety of fermentation vessels. Made in upright oak cuve, 600L & 500L rotary demi muid and puncheons, Italian Amphorae, and stainless steel. 20% whole cluster and 40% new extra fine-grain French Oak. Lean and fresh savoury aromatics lean and tight, fresh mint, blood orange, sumac,"
It was by no means by no means tightly wound but was far more open when I tasted it last week. It evinced an exceptional breed that shone through richly textured fruit. If drunk now, I'd suggest an hour or so in a decanter. With moderate tannin, it will improve over the next few years.
2017 Authentique Pinot Noir Keeler Estate; Aroma: heady and plummy, very intense, forward and engaging, a dusty, almost graphite note accented by cherry & strawberry; Mouth: clean, rounded, fleshy fat, in the mouth, clean, rich and long, mellowed soft textured over a light tannic acid spice, very solid, good length; Excellent $40; Case, $396, $33
Assort any twelve of these two wines at their case prices
Five cases of each arrive Monday
Len Rothenberg
FREE DELIVERY!
downtown on orders more than $75;
in Greater Boston on orders more than $199
