WINE ADVOCATE
Our 2005 Pinots and Chardonnay were reviewed by Dr. Jay Miller from the Wine Advocate, his tasting notes are posted on our website as well as on erobertparker.com Issue #173, October 2007.
Cheers to another successful vintage at Bergstrom Wines!
“In a remarkably brief time (the first vintage was 1999), Bergstrom, under the leadership of winemaker Josh Bergstrom, has become one of the quality leaders of the Willamette Valley. All of the estate vineyards are biodynamically farmed and Demeter certified.”
Dr. Jay Miller. Erobertparker.com. October 2007
2005 Bergstrom Chardonnay The Eyrie Vineyard |
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The 2005 Chardonnay “The Eyrie Vineyard” is sourced from a terroir planted with 42 year old Draper Clone vines. The wine was 25% barrel-fermented and 75% in stainless steel. Light gold-colored, it offers a sensuous bouquet of honey, white peach, poached pear, and pie crust. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied and restrained. It coats the mouth in a seductive manner and has superior grip and depth. Beautifully balanced, it will evolve for several years and drink well through 2017. It is a testament to what old vines and skilled winemaking can achieve. Act quickly because there are only 110 cases to be had |
2005 Bergstrom Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve |
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The 2005 Pinot Noir “Cumberland Reserve” is blended from nine vineyards with diverse terroirs. Medium ruby-colored, it has an expressive perfume of smoke, cassis, black cherry, and black raspberry. Medium-bodied, it offers a fleshy mid-palate, ripe fruit, and excellent balance. There is structure but it is well-concealed. The finish is long and pure. Give it 3-4 years to evolve and drink it through 2022. |
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2005 Bergstrom Pinot Noir de Lancellotti Vineyard |
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The 2005 Pinot Noir “De Lancellotti Vineyard” comes from a 7 acre parcel owned by Josh Bergstrom’s sister and brother-in-law. It is a more typical 2005, not nearly as fruit-driven as the Shea offering. The wine has a fragrant but slightly brooding nose with elements of smoke, vanilla, cola, black cherry, and blackberry. This is followed by a supple-textured wine with uplifting acidity, a firm structure, and a wide enough band of fruit to provide balance. Give it 5-7 years of further bottle age and drink it through 2025. |
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2005 Bergstrom Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard |
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The 2005 Pinot Noir “Shea Vineyard” is dark colored. It has a sensual aromatic array of pain grille, saddle leather, cherry, and black raspberry scents. On the palate, unlike most 2005s, it is a juicy, fruit-driven wine with great depth of flavor, a plush texture, and a long, pure finish. Give it 6-8 years to develop and drink it through 2025. |
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2005 Bergstrom Pinot Noir Bergstrom Vineyard |
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The 2005 Pinot Noir “Bergstrom Vineyard” is a winner. Medium ruby-colored, it offers an enticing bouquet of pain grille, earth, red and black cherries, violets, and black raspberry. Medium-bodied, on the palate it has vibrant acidity and ripe tannins buttressed by a broad band of spicy, sweet, ripe fruit leading to a 45+ second, pure finish. Give it 5-7 years in the cellar and drink it through 2025. |
2005 Bergstrom Pinot Noir Nysa Vineyard |
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The 2005 Pinot Noir “Nysa Vineyard” offers a bouquet of spice box, cola, black cherry, and black raspberry. Medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity and well-integrated tannins, but not as much flavor interest as the Cumberland Reserve, it is still a first-class Pinot for drinking over the next 8-10 years. |
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WINE SPECTATOR Tasting Highlights: Bergström 2005 Vintage
Posted: Friday, April 20, 2007
In Oregon, cool summers and wet harvests were considered normal before 1998, when a series of warm, dry, generous vintages started. That run came to a screeching halt in 2005, as several consecutive days of rain interrupted the Pinot Noir harvest in the Willamette Valley, just as it got under way.
Rain at that point can test winemakers' nerves as they wait for the grapes to ripen sufficiently to make good wine. Although Josh Bergström only started his winery in 1999, he managed to pick some of his vineyards early, some between the raindrops, and waited until the sun came out after the spate of rain for the rest, resulting in some of the most vivid, best-balanced Pinot Noirs he has made.
The standouts for me are the wines made exclusively from his two estate vineyards, the Bergström Vineyard in Dundee Hills and the young vines of the estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA (which was approved only this past December, too late for the 2005 label). Right behind it is the wine from Bergström's brother-in-law's DeLancelotti Vineyard (also in Chehalem Mountains). The "basic" Pinot Noir, called Cumberland Reserve, has all the textural refinement and pure fruit flavor of the vintage, and is the most widely available.
Wine Score Price
| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Bergström Vineyard 2005 |
93 |
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| Supple, velvety and refined, this is a soft-spoken wine that has a lot to say with its delicate iris- and tar-accented black cherry and currant flavors that linger gently on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2015. 600 cases made. —H.S. |
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Bergström Winery Estate 2005 |
93 |
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| Lithe in texture, with a velvety feel to the blackberry, cinnamon and slate flavors that mingle effortlessly against superrefined tannins. The finish rolls on and on, making for a seductive wine that should develop with further cellaring. Drink now through 2015. 75 cases made. —H.S. |
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir Willamette Valley De Lancellotti Vineyard 2005 |
92 |
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| Supple, graceful and generous with its currant and blackberry fruit, hinting at tomato leaf and rose petal as the finish waxes. The tannins are refined and well-submerged. Drink now through 2015. 455 cases made. —H.S. |
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Shea Vineyard 2005 |
92 |
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| Vividly expressive, with juicy raspberry, rhubarb and currant fruit pulsing at the core against hints of white pepper and cream notes as the finish expands against refined tannins. Drink now through 2015. 100 cases made. —H.S. |
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Nysa Vineyard 2005 |
91 |
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| Smooth and silky, with a meaty edge to the cherry and spice flavors, which linger on the open-textured finish against refined tannins. Best from 2008 through 2015. 100 cases made. —H.S. |
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Cumberland Reserve 2005 |
90 |
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| Lithe, graceful, open-textured and appealing for its juicy blackberry and currant flavors. Hints at mineral and spice as the finish lingers against refined tannins. Drink now through 2012. 2,600 cases made. —H.S. |
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Bergström Vineyard Whole Cluster Selection 2005 |
89 |
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| Smooth and appealing for its spicy currant flavors, hinting at clove and pepper as the finish persists. Has depth, but lacks the brilliance of some of the other Bergström wines. Best from 2008 through 2012. 100 cases made. —H.S. |
WINE SPECTATOR Tasting Highlights:
Bergström 2004 Vintage
The purity of the 2004 vintage is captured in Josh Bergström's
range of Oregon Pinot Noirs
Harvey
Steiman
Posted: Thursday, June 15, 2006
Josh Bergström makes Pinot Noirs of impressive depth and elegance
at his hilltop winery in the Chehalem Mountains of Oregon's Willamette
Valley. In 2004 his wines showcase the open textures and pure flavors
of the vintage. Although his best past wines came from Arcus Vineyard,
that vineyard's owner, Archery Summit, no longer sells him the grapes.
This vintage suggests that he hasn't lost much by focusing on the
8 acres he has under a new long-term contract with Shea Vineyard
(a few miles west of the winery) and his family's home vineyard
in Dundee Hills. Those wines are among the best of the vintage,
so far.
Wine Score Price
| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley Shea Vineyard 2004 |
94 |
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| Rich, ripe and distinctive
for its generous cherry and blackberry fruit framed by layers
of exotic spice, sweet, loamy earth and coffee notes that last
and last on the fine-grained finish. Sensational stuff. Best
from 2008 through 2016. 400 cases made. -H.S. |
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir
Dundee Hills Bergström Vineyard 2004 |
93 |
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| Lovely, elegant and
refined, playing out its raspberry, blackberry and sassafras
flavors with other exotic spice notes weaving through the long,
long finish. Best from 2008 through 2014. 600 cases made. -H.S.
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir
Dundee Hills Nysa Vineyard 2004 |
92 |
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| Polished, open-textured
and vibrant, with blackberry, currant and blue plum fruit deftly
shaded by nutmeg and white pepper overtones as the finish sails
on and on. Best from 2007 through 2014. 90 cases made. -H.S.
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley Cumberland Reserve 2004 |
91 |
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| Velvety, round and focused
on the pure currant and white pepper flavors, lingering nicely
on the open-textured finish, picking up a creamy note. Best
from 2008 through 2014. 1,200 cases made. -H.S. |
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley 2004 |
90 |
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| Gets a bit chewy with
tannins, but the rich, slightly tarry blackberry and cherry
flavors come through nicely as the peppery finish lingers. Best
from 2008 through 2014. 400 cases made. -H.S. |
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| BERGSTRÖM Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley De Lancellotti Vineyard 2004 |
90 |
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| Firm, with a lovely
bead of exotic, spice-scented blackberry and orange peel flavors,
lingering long and effortlessly on the fine-grained finish.
Best after 2008. 230 cases made. -H.S. |
Robert Parker's Wine Ratings - June 2006
2004 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir - 92
Loads of candied black cherries are discerned in this seamless,
medium to full bodied 2004 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard. A powerful
layered offering, it reveals a syrup core of cherries, red licorice
(Twizzlers), and jammy strawberries. This highly expressive wine
is intense, suave, and sports a long supple finish.
2004 de Lancellotti Vineyard Pinot Noir -91
Produced from a vineyard owned by Josh Bergstrom's sister and brother
in law, that was harvested at 1 ton per acre, the 2004 Pinot Noir
de Lancellotti Vineyard displays rich aromas of ripe black fruits.
Medium to full bodied, it is a satin textured beauty, packed with
copious quantities of black cherries. Armed with terrific density
of fruit, this seamless harmonious wine is sweet, suave, pure and
sensual. Its long finish displays dditional layers of dark fruits,
intermingled with notes of fresh herbs. It should be enjoyed over
the next 5 years.
2004 Broadley Vineyard Pinot Noir - 90
Fashioned from 8 year old vines, there are but 75 cases of the 2004
Pinot Noir Broadley Vineyard. Its sweet red cherry aromas lead to
a medium to full bodied character that seduces the taster with lively
red cherry syrup and jammy raspberry flavors. Pure, expressive and
sensual, this wine also spots a long, flavorful, fruit dominated
finish.
2004 Riesling - 89
Fermented and aged entirely in 50 gallon stainless steel drums,
the 2004 Riesling reveals an extremely spicy nose. Reminiscent of
an excellent German Kabinett (7 grams of sugar per litre), this
fine value is intense, powerful and hugely expressive. Its sweet
herbal tea and bold lemon flavors instantly get the tasters mouth
to water! Drink this vivacious wine over the next 4-5 years.
2004 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - 89
Pretty aromas of dark cherries and oak are discerned in the 2004
Pinot Noir Willamette Valley . A seamless black cherry, blackberry,
and brambleberry flavored effort this juicy wine is medium to full
bodied and expressive and spicy. Armed with excellent depth of fruit,
it is a candidate for drinking over the next 5 years.
2004 Bergstrom Vineyard Pinot Noir -88
Espresso beans, brambleberries, and blackberries are found in the
nose of the 2004 Pinot Noir Bergstrom Vineyard. This medium to full
bodied wine is Josh Bergstrom 2004 that most resembles the style
that this wine is known for in the past years.
2004 Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir -88
While aromatically demure, the 2004 Pinot Noir Nysa Vineyard impresses
the taster with its chunky, oak laced black fruits. Medium bodied
and broad, it offers flavors reminiscent of blackberries, black
currants, and brambleberries that lead to a structure finish.
2004 Eyrie Chardonnay - 87
Produced from vines planted in 1967, long before Josh Bergstrom
was even born, the toast and pear scented 2004 Eyrie Chardonnay
is a bright, light to medium bodies wine. It's lively, high toned
character offers crisp pear, citrus fruit, and mineral flavors in
a focused gripping style.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May-June 06
2004 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir
Saturated red. Musky cherry and dark berries on the nose,
with flashy notes of exotic oak spice. Lush and fat but nicely focused,
with a strong note of cinnamon adding interest to the expansive,
sweet flavors of blackberry and blackcurrant. The wine's sweetness
builds through the finish, which retains vivacity thanks to fresh
acidity. 91 points
2004 de Lancellotti Vineyard Pinot Noir
Deep violet color. Pungent, high-toned bouquet of fresh
rose, cassis, blackberry, smoked meat and licorice. Lush and broad,
but the wine's bright, tangy acids sharpen its dark berry and spiced
plum flavors, which are complicated by hints of white pepper, espresso
and star anise. Chewy and well-structured but not at all stern,
this finishes with impressive focus and energy, and a flavor of
blackcurrant. 90 points
2004 Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir
Bright red. Assertively spicy and fresh, with vibrant raspberry
and wild strawberry aromas accented by vanilla and baking spices.
Broad and rich but with impressive nerve and lift to its flavors.
A medium-bodied pinot with real punch. Finishes silky and long,
with fine-grained tannins and a hint of candied violet. 90
points
2004 Bergstrom Vineyard Pinot Noir
Bright red. Powerful, spicy bouquet of cherry, licorice, magnolia
and cocoa powder. Suave, elegant and smoky, with a lush cherry quality
expanding until a strong vanilla note rears its head. Possesses
big material but the oak is distracting. 87 points
2004 Willamette Valley
Pinot Noir
($25) Light red. Spicy red berry scents, with notes of nutmeg, cola
and cinnamon. Light and fresh, with crisp red fruit flavors, especially
wild strawberry. A pretty, elegant wine, finishing with brisk spice
and mineral tones. 87 points
Wine Spectator Scores Announced - April / May 2005
95 pts - 2003 Arcus Vineyard Designate
Pinot Noir
95 pts - 2003 Bergstrom Whole Cluster Pinot Noir
92 pts - 2003 Bergstrom Vineyard Designate PN
92 pts - 2003 Cumberland Reserve PN
89 pts - 2003 de Lancellotti Vineyard Designate PN
94 pts - 2002 Arcus Vineyard
Designate Pinot Noir
93 pts - 2002 Bergstrom Vineyard Pinot Noir
92 pts - 2002 Cumberland Reserve
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Wine
Spectator's - 2003 Vintage Rated!