Heading Left to the Left Coast - Cellars

When you think of the left coast bet you automatically think of California.  Right?  Well, left coast is left and not necessarily California, in this case it's Oregon. The Left stands for left handed as three of the family members of Left Coast Cellars (and myself I might add) are left handed.

Left Coast Cellars was founded in 2003 by Suzanne and Robert Pfaff and in 2011 Joe Wright joined the team as winemaker. They have one of the largest contiguous vineyards in the Willamette Valley with 350 acres and 150 of those acres under vine.  In the vineyard there are eight unique micro climates that contribute to the uniqueness of their wines and 90% of the winery is solar powered.

Left Coast Cellars produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, White Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.

I had the opportunity to taste their 2013 Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir and the 2014 The Orchards Pinot Gris.

I want to begin by saying that Pinot Gris was not a favorite wine of mine but since tasting a few coming out of Oregon and this wine included, I have become a huge fan.

The Orchards Pinot Gris I paired with a scallop dish over pasta and it was wonderful.

The wine was aged in 100% stainless steel for 4 months.  Aromas of bartlett pears, herbs and dancing minerality filled my glass.  The wine was nicely balanced with hints of citrus and green apple with crisp and fresh minerality.

The vineyard this wine comes from happens to be planted on the site of a historic apple and pear orchard dating way back.  As you can see the soil must still hold the past as it shows in the wine.

Looking at my notes as I write this post two words described this wine... "Love It." SRP 18

The 2013 Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir did not disappoint. (Sorry I forgot to take a personal photo of it. Got to carried away with the Pinot Gris)

This Pinot Noir was fermented in 5-ton open top stainless steel tanks then aged in 10% new French oak with the balance in 2,3 &4 year French Oak barrels for 8 months.  This wine was named after their left handed daughter Cali who has a passion for landscape design.

I immediately smelled aromas of clove coming from my glass.  As the wine opened up plum and cherry aromas became apparent.  The wine had a nice garnet red color.  On the plate flavors of red berry raspberry and cranberry burst in your mouth.  Towards the end of the taste it finishes with hints of clove.  SRP $24

If you see a selection from Left Coast Cellars in your wine shop, you can't go wrong.

The Other Wines in the House - St. Innocent Pinot Noir

This was a mid week grab a Pinot choice and had I put some thought into it, I would have decanted it, but it was weekday wine time and no time for decanting.


This St. Innocent (just like me:) Willamette Valley 2008 White Rose Pinot Noir might have been a tad to rich for the Wild Alaskan King Salmon we cooked, but never the less it was might tasty.  Yes both the salmon and Pinot Noir.


A little history about the wine. White Rose Vineyard is located on a southeast-facing slope in the Dundee Hills AVA of Yamhill County. The vineyard was planted in 1980 at an elevation of 820' on deep Jory soil. 



The grapes were fermented in a small tank after two days of cold maceration. The wine aged for 16 months in 45% new French oak barrels and was bottled by gravity without fining or filtration.  The grapes were harvested on October 19, 2008 and the wine was bottled February 2010.  This wine will be good for another 10 years or so.  There were 267 cases of this wine produced.  I feels special to have one of them.



At first the Pinot had an earthy nose that gave way to red raspberry and oak.  As the wine begins to open the earthiness subsides a bit.  The palate is filled with red berry fruit.  At first there is a slight tart mid palate, but that diminishes as the wine begins to open and it softens up.  Towards the finish there are hints of vanilla with a short finish.

The Other Wines in the House

This week we travel to Oregon as we tasted Cornerstone Cellars 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.  We received this selection with our Oregon Pinot Noir Club shipment. Robert Parker gave this wine a rating of 92 and there are only 50 cases of this wine produced.

This Pinot Noir had a beautiful bouquet of black cherry and red berry with hints of earthiness. 

The palate - well just say it put a smile on my face!  Black cherry, plum with earthy notes and soft tannins.  Very well crafted!  A wonderful wine!  Good job Craig Camp!

If you are interested where the grapes came from and how it was aged: 

75% Pommard clone, 25% 115 clone

50% Eola Hills AVA, 50% Yamhill Carlton AVA

15 months in 60 gallon French Oak barrels, 50% new, 50% 1 year old

We also opened a Valley of the Moon 2006 Port.  We were never into Port, but seem to be liking it these days. Especially when I am craving something sweet after dinner.   It agrees with me much better than the ice cream I would have plated for myself.

We purchased this port in October when we visited the winery. The port is a blend of 77% Souzao and 23% Syrah.  Aged in older French oak barrels for 24 months.  Comes in at 19% alcohol.

 Aromas of cherry, currants and hints of raisin on the nose.  

On the palate I found light raisin, currants ending with cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg.