Montinore Estate Reserve Riesling 2018

To understand Montinore Estate, one must first understand the man behind it. Rudy Marchesi, third generation winemaker and son of Italian immigrants, has worked with vines, in some shape or form, all his life. Winemaker, viticulturalist, salesman, owner/operator… you name it, over the last 40 years, he’s done it. In 1998, Marchesi began consulting to Montinore Estate, an 80-hectare site in the Tualatin Hills sub-AVA in the northwesternmost corner of the Willamette Valley. Always an avid proponent of organics, he converted the site to organic farming in 2001. Then, going deeper down the agricultural advocacy rabbit hole, he completed a course in biodynamics in 2003 and incorporated those practices into the Montinore approach—Demeter certification would be attained by 2008. Marchesi purchased the property in 2005 and, in the years since, has positioned Montinore as the unequivocal leader of biodynamic farming in the Willamette Valley. 

Montinore’s influence is writ large over the Willamette Valley and Oregon. Rudy Marchesi is a pioneer of sustainable agriculture and his voice, combined with Montinore’s reputation and far reach in markets in the US, has gone some way to normalizing the conversation around custodianship of land through an organic and biodynamic lens. Their wines are a reflection of their approach and their standing and are well worth seeking out.

Montinore Estate’s Riesling blocks are planted on a south-facing slope overlooking Graham Lake on the property. Fruit from these 40-year-old, own-rooted Geisenheim 68 clone vines is handpicked and whole cluster pressed before a cool fermentation in stainless steel barrels. Once bottled, the wine is held back for up to two years before release.

The long, sun-drenched days and perfectly cool and crisp nights during the end of the 2018 ripening season delivered a textural yet wonderfully bright, dry Riesling. It leads with aromas of lime, sweet summer florals and chalky freshness before a clean and pure palate that’s just brimming with mouth-watering, zesty flavours, nervy acidity and a talc-like texture. Youthful, with plenty of pep and drive, this has years to go if desired but is in a delicious spot right now.

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Riesling
Country - USA
Region - Willamette Valley, Oregon
Vintage - 2018
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.7%