Winter Wines from Oregon to Warm Your Soul
By Great Northwest Wines February 2022
"Bryn Mawr Vineyards 2016 Tempranillo, Eola-Amity Hills - Perched on the upper crest of the acclaimed Eola-Amity Hills, Bryn Mawr’s 40-acre LIVE-certified estate is battered by powerful winds sweeping through the Van Duzer Corridor from the Pacific Coast. Their vines are anchored into rocky volcanic soils on the steep vineyard and produce powerful characteristics across their entire portfolio. The whites and pinks are nervy, acid-driven and refreshingly crisp. The reds are bold and edgy, as is their Tempranillo. Dark violet in color, they sport a nose that is rich and lifted with sweet vanilla bean and cocoa butter st the outset. After a twirl, the dried cherry, sweet fig and pepper notes come jumping out to greet you. The palate is smooth and complete. Concentrated fruit and earthy cocoa nibs emerge on the midpalate, while the tannins are perfectly balanced and satisfying all the way to the end. Rachel Rose is both the winemaker and vineyard director for Bryn Mawr, giving her complete control from grape to glass. Under her leadership, they’re crafting wines of great complexity and tension and have continually elevated their production and quality recently. A common adage among the team is “high hill, high risk, high reward,” and that tenacious spirit is reflected in all that they do."