"We knew that great pinot noir wines are entirely conditional on the vineyard," states Robert Rosenstein as he explains the genesis of what would become an arduous year quest to possess farmland that could provide exemplary fruit intrinsic to superlative varietal.
While it was the legendary Oregon viticulturist and winemaker Ken Wright who finally identified the exceptional site on Savannah Ridge in the Yamhill-Carlton District in Oregon, the story of Angela is rooted in the bluegrass fields of horse country Kentucky, which was the setting for the convergence of two like-minded families; Angela and Antony Beck, and Robert and Dr. Kim Clawson Rosenstein.
London born and educated Antony Beck who, with his family, owns the socially and environmentally pioneering Graham Beck Wines of South Africa, had made his home near Lexington, Kentucky, to superintend the breeding of thoroughbred horses at the family’s Gainesway Farm. It was there he met Robert Rosenstein, one of the first wine merchants in the United States to discover and offer Graham Beck wines stateside. At a 1992 dinner party the two discovered an avid, mutual interest in wine.
“The predominant conversation that evening, which has continued throughout our friendship, was of wine appreciation,” recalls Antony. “Rob has a tremendous palate for the nuances found in the glass.”
“It was an instant friendship,” agrees Rosenstein, “just add wine.”
As their camaraderie evolved during many occasions spent enjoying the pleasures and discussion of all things vinous, their motivation turned from the desire to “taste a wine so exquisite that one could feel it from the top of the head to the tips of the toes,” as Antony describes it, to the endeavor of making one.
The two men agreed the pinot noir was the wine they wanted to produce as, in their estimation, there is no better wine to accompany food, though both readily acknowledge that the style of wine and the search for a site in Oregon was greatly influence by their partners in the project: Kim and Angela, whose names would eventually grace the future label.
Dr. Kim Clawson, a native of the Pacific Northwest, is a practitioner and proponent of integrative medicine, which seeks to preserve and restore health by combining modern medical treatment along with the physical advantages of diet and lifestyle. As a life-long advocate of organically grown, unprocessed foodstuffs, Dr. Clawson, an owner of the winery where Angela is crafted, viewed pinot noir, a varietal whose quality is entirely dependent on sound agricultural procedures, as the vinous embodiment of the holistic philosophy.
Angela Beck, a designer of table linens and accessories for gracious living under the name of Pomegranate Inc., was immediately captivated upon her first visit to Western Oregon with her friend, Kim. “The rolling hills and romantic vistas reminded me so much of Burgundy.”
In their search for vineyard site that had the exceptional potential they were seeking, Robert had the good fortune to meet famed Oregon producer Ken Wright. Wright led the Beck’s and the Rosenstein’s to Savannah Ridge which he found to be tremendously exciting as testing and core samples had revealed an unwavering consistent soil depth of 30 to 36 inches.
“We were simply astonished,” says Rosenstein. “This land was absolutely phenomenal.”
In addition to relying on the guidance and expertise of Ken Wright, the Becks and the Rosensteins looked to the respected and beloved vineyard manager Mark Gould for the reclamation and sustentation of the property.
“The land had been raped,” Gould explains matter-of-factly.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Savannah Ridge was the site of thriving orchard which had been abandoned and returned the the wild with the collapse of the fruit market at the end of the World War I. Insensitive logging on the 1970s left the ridge in shambles.
Using organic and sustainable methodologies, Gould and Wright restored the environmental and ecological health of the ridge. The first 21 acres of the Clawson Creek Vineyard were planted to Pinot Noir clones 777, Wadenswill and 115 in 206, with an additional 13 acres planted in 2007, totaling 34 acres.
As buds on the burgeoning vines begin to break in the spring, the uncompromising journey in pursuit of the quintessential terroir, begun satisfied that their resolute commitment will be found in every bottle of Angela Pinot Noir.
Angela Pinot Noir 2007
Rating: 92
"Medium ruby in color, the bouquet is initially a bit restrained but soon opens up with a forward note of terroir and minerals over perfectly ripe black raspberry and blueberry aromas, along with a subtle hit of oak spice. Plush and forward, it shows surprising richness on the palate entry, but regains its balance deftly. Soft and rich dark berry flavors are tinted with colas and tea notes. This is a bolder style of Pinot with a long and lush finish."
Michael Sorg, Voices of Wine
