2017 King Estate Gewürztraminer, Willamette Valley
Tasting Notes
Gewürztraminer is an aromatic grape varietal that thrives in cool climate conditions. These conditions are perfectly suited for the small parcel of Gewürztraminer found on Block 19 of our own King Estate Vineyard, one of the coolest and highest elevation sites in the Willamette Valley. The grapes are 100% Biodynamic.
On the dry side, this Gewürztraminer greets the nose with hints of honeysuckle, spicy clove, and wet stone along with fruit notes of honeydew, apple, and mango. On the entrance, additional flavors of lychee and lemon zest are revealed. Round and balanced in the mouth, the wine finishes long and dry.
Winemaking Process
The fruit had 12 hours of skin contact in the press to give the wine added varietal character. Fermentation was in 100% stainless steel tanks, then aged surlie for six months, also in stainless steel.
Vintage Notes
2017 was a classic Willamette Valley vintage, with bud break in late March followed by bloom in mid-to-late June and véraison in early to mid-August, roughly two weeks later than 2016. The fruit set was heavy, requiring judicious crop thinning to promote grape quality. After early picking for sparkling wine and Rosé, harvest on the estate began in earnest in late September and finished mid-October. The later season combined with cool harvest weather, interrupted periodically by showers, slowed ripening and allowed for enhanced flavor development and acid retention while keeping potential alcohol levels in check.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Estate-Grown Gewürztraminer
AVA: Willamette Valley
Alcohol: 13.5%
What’s Included
6-bottles:
6x 2017 King Estate Gewürztraminer, Willamette Valley Case:
12x 2017 King Estate Gewürztraminer, Willamette Valley
When King Estate was founded in 1991, it was driven by a commitment to sustainability and profound respect for the land. The adventurous spirit that inspired us from the beginning continues to guide us as we nurture our vineyards to craft premium Oregon wines.
The King Estate story is woven into the history of Oregon wine, where winemaking is synonymous with discovery and sustainability. The last 30 years have been focused on innovation, craft, and a deep sense of respect for the land, the vines and the people who enjoy our wines. We have been establishing our traditions, one vintage at a time.
Crafted with an artisanal style that celebrates the unique characteristics of the Pacific Northwest, our sustainably grown and thoughtfully produced wines are world renowned.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
King Estate 2017 Gewürztraminer (Willamette Valley)
This bottle arrived a couple of days before the offer went live, rested in the fridge and was super chilled upon opening. It was part of a mixed offer back in October, and I didn’t go in on that. It’s been a couple of years since I lost my sense of taste and smell thanks to COVID, and I was just commenting last night how much of it has finally returned recently, and the bizarre taste and smells have pretty much returned to normal. So let’s see how this goes…
Upon PnP, very light, slightly thin on the swirl, with thin and quick legs. Not much on the nose, a little grassy.
Upon the first taste while still chilled, was a bit acidic and tangy on the tongue, with muted white fruit. Tickled the front of the tongue a bit.
After about 10 minutes as it warmed slightly and opened up, the acidity eased and it was better balanced, not much more fruit emerged, a little white melon and grassiness, with a light to medium mouth feel, and nice medium tangy finish on the back.
30 minutes later, Slightly fruity but dry and bright, on the tart side, not one dimensional yet not overly complex. No bread or yeast noted. This will work as a summer apéritif, and it will match well with light appetizers and fare, I’m thinking southeast Asian. I found this to be pleasant, and it would go well with a BYOB casual sort of restaurant or on the porch or terrace with some white cheese and crackers. I was a little concerned about the age, but it still drinks fresh (probably from the acidity) and I suggest drinking within a year.
Much thanks to Alice, Dave, and the rest of the Casemates gang for the opportunity to Rat!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2017 King Estate Gewürztraminer - $30 = 23.07%
Love me some Gewurz - one of my favorite varieties to work with - and to smell when done ‘as it should be’. Based on the WE review noted in the last offerig, though, it sounds as if this does not show the ‘typicity’ that I would expect. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily - the typical Gewurz nose can be ‘overpowering’ to many. For the price, this seems like a no brainer . . .
2017 King Estate Gewürztraminer, Willamette Valley
Tasting Notes
Winemaking Process
Vintage Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $360/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Tuesday, May 28
2017 King Estate Gewürztraminer
6 bottles for $64.99 $10.83/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $99.99 $8.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
King Estate 2017 Gewürztraminer (Willamette Valley)
This bottle arrived a couple of days before the offer went live, rested in the fridge and was super chilled upon opening. It was part of a mixed offer back in October, and I didn’t go in on that. It’s been a couple of years since I lost my sense of taste and smell thanks to COVID, and I was just commenting last night how much of it has finally returned recently, and the bizarre taste and smells have pretty much returned to normal. So let’s see how this goes…
Upon PnP, very light, slightly thin on the swirl, with thin and quick legs. Not much on the nose, a little grassy.
Upon the first taste while still chilled, was a bit acidic and tangy on the tongue, with muted white fruit. Tickled the front of the tongue a bit.
After about 10 minutes as it warmed slightly and opened up, the acidity eased and it was better balanced, not much more fruit emerged, a little white melon and grassiness, with a light to medium mouth feel, and nice medium tangy finish on the back.
30 minutes later, Slightly fruity but dry and bright, on the tart side, not one dimensional yet not overly complex. No bread or yeast noted. This will work as a summer apéritif, and it will match well with light appetizers and fare, I’m thinking southeast Asian. I found this to be pleasant, and it would go well with a BYOB casual sort of restaurant or on the porch or terrace with some white cheese and crackers. I was a little concerned about the age, but it still drinks fresh (probably from the acidity) and I suggest drinking within a year.
Much thanks to Alice, Dave, and the rest of the Casemates gang for the opportunity to Rat!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2017 King Estate Gewürztraminer - $30 = 23.07%
Previous casemates offer, with that all important WE review here
fwiw
Love me some Gewurz - one of my favorite varieties to work with - and to smell when done ‘as it should be’. Based on the WE review noted in the last offerig, though, it sounds as if this does not show the ‘typicity’ that I would expect. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily - the typical Gewurz nose can be ‘overpowering’ to many. For the price, this seems like a no brainer . . .
And I’m low on whites . . . in for a case.