Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir
Old Vines
If Oregon vineyards were classified like Burgundy Maresh would certainly be a Grand Cru. The philosophy at Arterberry Maresh adheres to old vine Dundee Hills fruit, alcohols under 14% (preferably mid 12 to lower 13%), new oak kept under 15% on Pinot, no pumping, no fining, no filtering, no acidulating, no watering. The goal is purity of fruit and naturality expressing terroir with elegance and ageworthiness.
Somm Select says: “Cellar wizard Jim Arterberry Maresh, a third-generation Dundee Hills grower, has raised the bar to a seemingly insurmountable height, producing nuanced, aromatically complex, and wonderfully pure Pinot Noirs that everyone can afford. We’ve offered and sold through them over the years, but today’s special bottling is a first—an affordable “upgrade” if you will. The “Old Vines” displayed on the front label is the sole clue: Maresh’s 2018 comes from two of the oldest and most sought-after vineyard sites in all of Willamette Valley. Unfortunately, this distinguished cuvée has been produced just two other times, as they only wanted 40+-year-old vines fueling this tremendous, if not historic, Pinot Noir. Furthermore, they’re not made in substantial quantities and each release has garnered eye-popping scores that have only quickened the velocity in which they sell out. The choice is yours, of course, but when there’s a rare chance to secure a profound, old-vine Pinot Noir from a Burgundy-toppling region for $45, it’s not really much of a choice!”
2019 Vintage
Wine Advocate 98 rating
The 2019 Pinot Noir Old Vines comes from Wadenswil clone vines planted in 1970, and it was matured in barrel for 20 months. Medium garnet, it has a distinct mineral character, with tones of flint and iodine complementing spicy cranberry and blackberry preserves. The palate is silky and layered, with intense, dark red fruit and a very long, flavorful finish. It’s got some inherent power that will allow it to develop well in bottle.
2018 Vintage
Wine Spectator Top 100 #22
Wine Spectator says: ” Structured yet elegantly layered, this version offers pretty violet, raspberry and spiced tea accents that build tension toward polished, medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. 1,598 cases made. Structured yet elegantly layered, this version offers pretty violet, raspberry and spiced tea accents that build tension toward polished, medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. 1,598 cases made. ”
Jim blends old vine Pinot Noir fruit from Maresh and other Dundee Hills vineyards. An immediate hit with customers and reviewers, the wine shows the character and complexity of Pinot Noir made from 40+ year old grapevines.
2018 Vintage
Wine Advocate 94+ rating
Pale ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Old Vines has an alluring perfume of blueberries, violets and dark cherries with accents of earth and amaro. The medium-bodied palate offers intense, broody fruits framed by muscular tannins and bright freshness, and it finishes long and full of flavor. It’s still youthfully coiled and may improve with another year or two in bottle.
2017 Vintage
96 points Vinous
“Heady, mineral- and spice-accented red and blue fruit and potpourri aromas are complemented by exotic incense and Asian spice flourishes. Vibrant, palate-staining raspberry, red currant, boysenberry, candied rose and spicecake flavors suavely blend power and delicacy. Sneaky, polished tannins add subtle grip to a strikingly long, incisive finish that leaves resonating floral and spice notes behind.”
The 2017 Old Vines is a blend of Maresh and Weber fruit. Maresh vineyard was the first to be planted on Worden Hill road followed by Weber in 1974. The 2017 vintage is a change of pace from the last three years of early picks in the heat. A cold spring pushed picking dates into a classic Oregon October allowing flavors to run far ahead of sugars. The 17 Old Vines is ultra complex balancing waves of electric red fruit with a savory polish. The chemistry numbers look very much like the 16s however the fruit is redder and brighter with less tannins which gives the wine more length and succulence. Bottled in December.
100% Dundee Hills AVA.
Vines planted in 1970-1983.
Average age of vine in this bottling – 43 years.
Aged 14 months in barrel, 8% new.
12.8% alc.
Drink from 2021-2018.
2016 vintage
Wine Advocate 96 points
Release Price $45
Drink Date 2018 – 2030
Reviewed by Erin Brooks
Issue Date 31st Aug 2018
This is the first non-vineyard designate made by Jim Maresh. Pale to medium ruby in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Old Vines has a lovely pure nose of pink peppercorn, dried black tea leaves, red and black licorice and violets with dried cranberries, red cherries and layers and layers of spice. Medium to full-bodied, it has amazing concentration of flavor in the mouth, blossoming out to pure red fruits and spicy layers, with cinnamon and autumn leaves accents, very fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity, finishing very, very long with tons of earth-laced fruit. Wow! 1,040 cases produced.
Vinous
Rating 95 points
Bright red. A highly perfumed bouquet displays mineral-laced red berry and floral aromas that are complicated by suggestions of exotic spices, incense and savory herbs. Stains the palate with energetic raspberry preserve, blood orange, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that become sweeter and deeper. Shows superb energy, sharp delineation and solid, mineral thrust on the extremely long finish, which is framed by silky, slow-building tannins.
Burghound
Rating 93 points & Outstanding
Interestingly, this is aromatically almost a blend of the first two wines with its elegant mix of various red berries, plum and briar scents. I very much like the texture of the medium weight flavors where the fine density of material is immediately apparent as it serves to partially buffer the equally firm structure supporting the beautifully long finale. This is excellent and worth checking out though again, at least some patience strongly advised.
Wine Spectator
Rating 95 points
Impressive for the impeccable elegance and balance, and buoyed by a complex core, this offers vibrant rose petal and raspberry aromas and flavors of cherry, stony mineral and savory dried herb that unfurl toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2026.