Our 2024 Vintage Wine Release is here.
For this release, we are looking at place through four comparisons: 01 Two Appellations / One Grape; 02 Appellation / Vineyard; 03 One Vineyard / Two Grapes; and 04 Two Vineyards / One Grape.
All purchases from this release will include a series of informative booklets exploring the wines, vineyards, and ideas behind each comparison.
Two Appellations /
One Grape
A comparison of how the same grape variety expresses itself differently across two distinct appellations.
Appellation /
Vineyard
An exploration of what distinguishes a singular vineyard within the larger context of its appellation.
One Vineyard /
Two Grapes
A revealing look at how one vineyard shapes two different grape varieties and the wines they become.
Two Vineyards /
One Grape
A study of how two distinct vineyard sites shape different expressions of the same grape variety.
The 2024 Vintage Wines
2024 Bledsoe McDaniels Pinot Noir
Coulee Vineyard is a beautiful place and this wine highlights that beauty. Leading with blue fruit, Rainier cherries, cedar notes and perfect French oak complements. The wine is rounder than the Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir, with a beautiful mid-palate and pillowy tannin structure. Grown mostly on the hillsides of Coulee in volcanic soil, with a small addition of extended maceration sedimentary soil. Pommard and Wadensvil clones. Drink now through 2038.
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2024 Bledsoe McDaniels Chardonnay
All estate grown in the Eola-Amity Hills, from clone 548 which is slightly lower elevation on sedimentary soils, and Wente clone which is higher elevation on a south-facing slope of volcanic soil. Aromas of peaches, lemon zest, hay bales, white flowers in the spring, and dried apricots. The wine itself is rich yet possesses great energy that leads to an ultra-long finish. This is a very pretty yet powerful wine with immense drinking pleasure.
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2024 Bledsoe McDaniels Pinot Noir
At the time of writing these notes, this may be my favorite wine from the vintage. Aromatics of blueberries picked right off the bush, Washington cherries, a hint of orange rind, and rose petals. The mouthfeel is so good with a beautiful tannin structure that is broad, lush, and has the perfect glycerol sweetness. Highlighting the tannins of the Eola-Amity Hills and Coulee Vineyard. I have had this wine multiple times over the last few months and it has lived rent free in my head. Decant now and enjoy through 2046.
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2024 Bledsoe McDaniels Pinot Noir
This wine always reminds me of the vineyard site itself and expresses terroir so well. Red rose petal, forest floor like the surrounding area of the vineyard, blue fruit, spice, leather, and hints of anise. Medium bodied on entry, the wine builds to a strong finish with lively acidity, and a large, complex finish. The wine has a long life ahead of it but is drinking great now. Always one of my personal favorites in the cellar.
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2024 Bledsoe McDaniels Syrah
As usual, this wine aromatically has a ton of range and complexity. Whole cluster stems, soy sauce, beef jerky, Mediterranean olives, and much more as it opens up. I am proud of the acidity of this wine as it reflects the multiple picking passes early and late in the growing season to capture different elements of this vineyard, a challenging but well rewarded technique. Aged entirely in one 2,000L oval, the wine has both a levity and a density to it as the fine-grained tannins unfold to a long finish. Decant now and enjoy through the next ten years of drinking pleasure.
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2024 Bledsoe McDaniels Syrah
Tight at first, opening to ripe blackberry, dark fruit, cassis, black olive, and hints of herbs de Provence. I am loving this wine and the vineyard block planted on the south side of McQueen in fractured basalt. Broad on the palate, softer than years past but builds to a pleasurable finish and tannins coating the mouth lightly. A tiny amount of this wine was produced from one single puncheon in the cellar. Decant now and enjoy through 2041.
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Explore the wines with us.
Join us as we explore the wines. This classroom-style event features light bites and a guided tasting with Josh McDaniels. Don't miss this opportunity to experience our latest releases at the Schafer Estate.
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