I always like to see new projects come across my radar screen. It is even more interesting when the wine has a story and a solid infrastructure of fruit sources and talent with a track record. A couple months ago I learned of a new Oregon Pinot Noir producer named Retour and exchanged emails with one of the proprietors, Michael Richards. I was surprised to learn that his partner in the business, Lindsay Woodard was someone who I had first met nearly ten years ago in Napa Valley. It was weeks before I got to meet Michael and my first introduction to the wine at the conclusion of an off-line tasting of five decades of Pinot Noir in San Francisco. It wasn't until last week that I was able to schedule a formal tasting of Retour in my SF office. The wine, made by Eric Hamacher takes its name, Retour, from the French term for "returning home". Both partners are originally from Oregon and have now moved back following years of being away. This project is the culmination of their shared dream to produce wine of the highest quality from their home.
Retour is an ambitious project with fruit coming from a host of top flight sources including Hyland, Wind Hill, Wahle, and Vitae Springs. The wine is artisinally produced, using only native yeast, fermented in small open tops, aged in a majority of used french oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The packaging is unique in that the gorgeous bottle is topped by a metal label that is as beautiful as it is innovative. It is only the second one I recall seeing
The wine receives its first professional review here in my blog.
2006 Retour Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, VF 94
A fragrant nose of cherry and spicy vanilla with hints of licorice, blue plum and lilac/violet pastille. The palate is focused and elegant showing off restrained tannins mingling with the polished, pure raspberry and dark cherry flavors. The finish lasts for over sixty seconds. A brilliant debut.
The wine will be available to order on the Vinfolio site soon in limited quantities
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