Patricia Green has definitely paid her dues in the Oregon wine-making world learning to make wine way back in 1987 when she entered the business at Hillcrest Vineyard. Then consulting for such wineries as Ashland & Giradet, working crush at Adelsheim and becoming winemaker at La Garza in 1992. In 1993, with a reputation as one of the top winemakers in Oregon she became the winemaker at Torii Mor. It is there that she met Jim Anderson and in 2000 Patty & Jim bought a 52 acre estate in the Ribbon Ridge district of Yamhill County, and Patricia Green Cellars www.patriciagreencellars.com was born. 13 years later the two are making 12 different Pinot Noirs in the 2011 vintage and limited amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Dry Muscat Ottonel emphasizing the unique terroir found throughout the Willamette Valley in each. Using estate grown as well as purchased grapes Patty and Jim pay very close attention to detail throughout the whole wine making process including grape and barrel selection. All vineyards sourced are all dry farmed.
The 2011 Reserve has become a regular staple in Patty’s stable of wines having been previously released in occasional vintages. The 3,200 case production wines offers great value for the money running $25-$30 a bottle. It offers consistency from vintage to vintage and uses both estate grown and purchased fruit. Soft and mellow, this wine offers the drinker a wonderful expression of the multiple terroirs found throughout the area. White pepper is abundant along with good fruit, mild tannins and well balanced oak. Hints of grapefruit are present on the nose. This wine is perfect for summer time drinking and would compliment an array of salads, salmon and roasted meats and vegetable dishes. Although it’s considered an “entry level” wine for the winery, it’s definitely far more experienced than that.
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