2021 Gersing Stolen Barrel Reserve Red Wine, Columbia Valley
Tasting Notes
The idea of Stolen Barrel came in 2015 when our winery was burgled. One of the items stolen was a one-use Bordeaux-style barrel. After a stalled police investigation, a Craigslist search, and some undercover work, we managed to recover the barrel unscathed! After barreling down our 2015 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, we had just enough of each wine to completely fill our “Stolen Barrel.” Over the next year, it became obvious that there was something very special about this 50/50 blend.
In 2021, we picked the Cab a little earlier than in years past to capture more vibrancy and tweaked the blend: 40% Merlot and 60% Cabernet. This version is more old-world, achieving balance rather than power, and presents an exquisite testament to the virtues of patience and the art of winemaking. At first pour, the wine captivates with a mesmerizing spectrum of red. Its radiant garnet core transitions gracefully into lighter ruby edges. Unlike the deeper, almost opaque hues characteristic of wines that may present as less dynamic over time, our blend boasts a clarity and brightness indicative of a meticulously crafted wine, reflecting the purity of fruit and terroir.
In the glass, it greets the senses with a vibrant tapestry of red and blue fruits, including hints of strawberry, blueberry, cherry, and plum, elegantly framed by an emerging bouquet of cinnamon and graphite. Presently, the wine reveals a youthful vigor, with pronounced tannins and a lively acidity that promises a remarkable evolution.
This wine is in the dawn of its journey, with its current tightness reflecting the strength and longevity it possesses. The tannins and acidity, though prominent now, are the very backbone that will ensure its graceful maturation. Over time, these elements will harmoniously mellow, weaving a well-balanced complexity and depth into the wine’s character. We invite you to embrace the potential of this Cabernet/Merlot blend, a wine designed for the cellar, destined to flourish with age. If opening now, we recommend letting this wine breathe. Whether enjoyed in its vivacious youth or allowed to unveil its full splendor over the years, this blend is a celebration of resilience, transformation, and the enduring beauty of time-honored winemaking traditions.
Impressions
Appearance – Radiant garnet core with lighter ruby edges
Aromas – Freshly crushed red and blue fruits, cherry, plum, cinnamon, and graphite
Taste – Bright red cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, lively acidity, and firm tannins
Length – Firm and lasting a full minute
Recommendation – Cellaring will be rewarded
Vinification
The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were fermented separately. Then the wine is gently pressed to tank, allowed to settle for 48 hours, and then transferred to a mix of one-use and neutral French oak barrels for 18-22 months of aging. Finally, the wine is bottled without fining or filtration.
Viticulture
The Cabernet is from Willard Farms Vineyard in Yakima, WA, a vineyard we’ve been sourcing from since 2015. We picked a little earlier than in years past to reserve freshness and capture more varietal distinctiveness. The Merlot is coming off Soaring Eagle Vineyard of the Wahluke Slope AVA in WA, an exciting new source for us. The 2021 growing season in Eastern Washington was warm, including a record-breaking heat event in late June. Despite the warmth, acid levels held up well, contributing to balanced and lively wines.
Founded in 2015, Gersing Cellars is a small-production winemaking company housed at SE Wine Collective, an urban winery in hip SE Portland, OR. Located just off of bustling Division Street, we keep delicious company with some of Portland’s most acclaimed restaurants and coffee shops, such as Pok Pok, Stumptown Roasters and Ava Gene’s. We source grapes from several select vineyards in the sub-AVAs of Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Washington’s Columbia Valley.
Founder and winemaker, Jason Gersing, is a longtime jazz saxophonist, and his passion for music influences both the wine’s style and its packaging. Each wine name contains a musical reference, and staff lines grace both the capsule and the label. Jason’s winemaking philosophy is informed by the jazz maxim that one needs to learn the rules in order to break them. Accordingly, Jason has studied Enology and Viticulture at Montpellier SupAgro in France and Chemeketa in Oregon. Before starting Gersing Cellars, Jason put his studies to practice at Argyle Winery for two years while also making wine at home.
Our mission is to showcase the diversity and quality of the Pacific Northwest wine-growing region by sourcing fruit from select vineyards in Oregon and Washington. We have a particular interest in crafting balanced, restrained wines from the bolder varieties grown in Yakima and Red Mountain, such as Merlot and Nebbiolo, as well as highlighting Pinot Noir’s expression in the Chehalem Mountains and Eola-Amity Hills.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
@CruelMelody There was a second-hand supply shop business (like a pawn shop) but with fermentation equipment, tanks, barrels, etc. They had all the stolen equipment, but, as with some pawn shops, they bought the items cheaply (I’m assuming) from those who stole the equipment, thus giving them plausible deniability of having stolen the equipment themselves. The stolen barrel was a Bordeaux-style barrel, which, in Pinot country where Burgundy barrels are the norm, stood out like a sore thumb and led to them being found out.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Gersing Stolen Barrel Reserve Red Wine - $110 = 40.73%
Curious. Checked out the winery and looks like all other wines are “sold out,” except this particular wine - which appears to being blown out. Can’t wait for a rat to write it up. A case seems imminent
If anyone’s interested, I was a guest on the Wine Crush podcast a few years ago. My portion starts about minute 15:00. I give some background about the winery, winemaking style, etc. Wine Crush Enjoy!
@gersingcellars Always very helpful to give links where you talk about your wines.
Winery/winemaker (not always the same thing ) participation is greatly appreciated and often helpful to sales…
Methodology: breathed in bottle for about an hour, glass 1.
Nose: deep dark red fruits (black raspberry, black cherry, hint of cranberry) with depth and acidity, some plums. A bit of oak, well integrated. A hint of baking spice?
Attack, much brighter and lighter than it feels, a bit of a bait and switch. Much more towards the strawberry end, racy acidity, vibrant. feels much less viscous than it smells. Not tight, but it feels like it will open up more and benefit from aging or decanting even though it doesn’t NEED it per se. Almost grenache-like.
Midpalate, blueberries and plums come back, feels more viscous, starting to get some of the tannins, which are there but balanced and well integrated.
Chewing the wine really enhances the acidity, which carries the tannin. The fruit is sort of muddled and confused.
Finish feels a bit thin again, back to the redder fruits, but the overall notes on the finish are dominated by the acidity, though it lingers. A definite food wine. Tannins are there, this could handle some steak, but maybe not a ribeye or bbq. On the elegant side of the spectrum.
WIFE didn’t not like it. “This tastes like something I would get served at a bar at the airport.”. I get why she said that, as you usually get bdx blends.
Day 2, I just finished a glass and it didn’t improve, even with food. If anything, it got worse and fell apart somewhat. It felt more awkward than yesterday, rather than improving.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this was an easy pass for me. It’s entirely possible it was just a bad bottle, but based on what I had, I can’t recommend this.
So that’s it? Only one bottle went out?
I really wanted a second opinion.
The write-up and then the lone review had me excited, for the first three paragraphs then it was like…womp, womp, wahhh.
I don’t usually post after an offer but I got my case of the Stolen Red and I think the wine is very good-not disappointed at all! They said it needs to age but I don’t know if its going to get a chance.
2021 Gersing Stolen Barrel Reserve Red Wine, Columbia Valley
Tasting Notes
Impressions
Vinification
Viticulture
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$720.00/Case for 12x 2021 Gersing Stolen Barrel Reserve Red Wine, Columbia Valley at Gersing Cellars
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jun 24 - Monday, Jul 1
2021 Gersing Stolen Barrel Reserve Red Wine
2 bottles for $44.99 $22.50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $159.99 $13.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Been tracking casemates for a month now. Do they ever offer sparkling or rose?
@robpete yes, just wait it out. Or also buy other things while you’re waiting.
@klezman
@klezman @robpete
Checks past orders:
Rose in April late purchased
Rose in early April purchased
Sparkling &rose in January
Yes, good things come to those that wait
@robpete all past deals: https://casemates.com/forum?category=deals
@robpete Seems that Gruet offers champagne variants (typically one or two types per offer) at least a couple of times per year.
@robpete Stay tuned…the month of June will be for you!
I wanna know who stole the barrel and why
@CruelMelody There was a second-hand supply shop business (like a pawn shop) but with fermentation equipment, tanks, barrels, etc. They had all the stolen equipment, but, as with some pawn shops, they bought the items cheaply (I’m assuming) from those who stole the equipment, thus giving them plausible deniability of having stolen the equipment themselves. The stolen barrel was a Bordeaux-style barrel, which, in Pinot country where Burgundy barrels are the norm, stood out like a sore thumb and led to them being found out.
Interested to read any forecasts of when this may mature past dawn to reach high-noon (or perhaps, 5 o’clock).
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Gersing Stolen Barrel Reserve Red Wine - $110 = 40.73%
@Mark_L Is that the largest case discount we have had?
@ctmariner It may be. There were a couple of 39.99%.
@ctmariner @Mark_L I don’t hold much value here though comparing 2 bottles versus 12.
I’m curious to why this wasn’t a half case offering.
Washington State-check-Cab/Merlot-check-now where are the rats? I am dying to pull the trigger.
Curious. Checked out the winery and looks like all other wines are “sold out,” except this particular wine - which appears to being blown out. Can’t wait for a rat to write it up. A case seems imminent
I’m too addicted to getting a good deal to wait any longer. Still hope someone comes in with more info, but I’ll be sipping in a few weeks anyways.
If anyone’s interested, I was a guest on the Wine Crush podcast a few years ago. My portion starts about minute 15:00. I give some background about the winery, winemaking style, etc. Wine Crush Enjoy!
@gersingcellars Always very helpful to give links where you talk about your wines.
) participation is greatly appreciated and often helpful to sales…
Winery/winemaker (not always the same thing
Jason - Now that the SE Wine Collective has closed, where are you making your wines?
@DanOR Division Winemaking Company’s space on SE 8th.
Bought a case if somebody wants half of it in NoVA/DMV, let me know
@kray05 count me in
Methodology: breathed in bottle for about an hour, glass 1.
Nose: deep dark red fruits (black raspberry, black cherry, hint of cranberry) with depth and acidity, some plums. A bit of oak, well integrated. A hint of baking spice?
Attack, much brighter and lighter than it feels, a bit of a bait and switch. Much more towards the strawberry end, racy acidity, vibrant. feels much less viscous than it smells. Not tight, but it feels like it will open up more and benefit from aging or decanting even though it doesn’t NEED it per se. Almost grenache-like.
Midpalate, blueberries and plums come back, feels more viscous, starting to get some of the tannins, which are there but balanced and well integrated.
Chewing the wine really enhances the acidity, which carries the tannin. The fruit is sort of muddled and confused.
Finish feels a bit thin again, back to the redder fruits, but the overall notes on the finish are dominated by the acidity, though it lingers. A definite food wine. Tannins are there, this could handle some steak, but maybe not a ribeye or bbq. On the elegant side of the spectrum.
WIFE didn’t not like it. “This tastes like something I would get served at a bar at the airport.”. I get why she said that, as you usually get bdx blends.
Day 2, I just finished a glass and it didn’t improve, even with food. If anything, it got worse and fell apart somewhat. It felt more awkward than yesterday, rather than improving.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this was an easy pass for me. It’s entirely possible it was just a bad bottle, but based on what I had, I can’t recommend this.
So that’s it? Only one bottle went out?
I really wanted a second opinion.
The write-up and then the lone review had me excited, for the first three paragraphs then it was like…womp, womp, wahhh.
@ttboy23 I know…I regret getting a case (I think)
@ttboy23 This whole deal just feels…… sketch to me. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
@Drez143 @ttboy23 The random flybys by the owner/winemaker were odd for sure
@Drez143 @kaolis @ttboy23
? He’s been relatively active on most of his offers. There’s been so little in terms of questions for him to answer, too.
9:00 pacific is coming soon
@Leatherchair
I don’t usually post after an offer but I got my case of the Stolen Red and I think the wine is very good-not disappointed at all! They said it needs to age but I don’t know if its going to get a chance.
@dianefreda I’m trying it now and although it’s improving with time in the glass(es) it’s exactly as @PetiteSirah describes. The “Lone Rat”
@dianefreda @ttboy23 I’m both glad and sad that my experience was accurate, if that makes sense.