Handcrafted terroir-driven wines from the green hills of Oregon, Ransom wines focus intently on the pure flavors-of-place. Crafted to exemplify the true varietal character and express the individuality of the growers, vineyard sites, and vintages. These wines are produced in small lots, without filtration or fining, offering distinct texture and complexity with extended development in the cellar.
2013 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
90 Points, Vinous
Tasting Notes
A barrel selection from four exceptional vineyards in the Eola Hills, the 2013 Selection Pinot Noir is an elegant expression of its vineyard sites and the vintage. A fine garnet color in the glass, the wine opens with vibrant aromas of fresh black cherries, forest floor, and baking spices. A savory note of blackcurrant and driftwood smoke on the palate is punctuated by a bright midline of terroir-driven acidity and filled in by classically fine tannins. The finish is long and resonant, with notes of cranberry and salted caramel. Exceptional now, we believe it will continue to evolve for at least a decade.
Vinification
The fruit was 100% destemmed with a high percentage of whole berries to 1.5-ton fermenters. An average of four day cold soak ensured gentle yet thorough extraction of color and flavor. The small lots were fermented with BRG, BGY, 71B, and wild strain yeasts for an average of seven days and hand-punched two to three times daily. The wine was aged twelve to sixteen months in mixed two-year-old French cooperage before being blended and bottled. This wine was minimally processed from free-run juice without fining or filtration.
Vintage Notes
2013 was an excellent vintage, marked by a sunny and mild growing season. A warm spring allowed for an early bud break, and we enjoyed a beautiful summer with warm weather and very little rain. A period of rain in late September prolonged what had promised to be a hot, truncated growing season. A subsequent period of cool, dry weather through October allowed the grapes additional hang time, and harvest began in earnest in early October. Though the late rains rattled everyone’s nerves, the grapes weathered them in good condition and benefited from the additional hang time. The 2013 vintage is characterized by balance, with moderate alcohol and acidity levels allowing an elegant expression of the rich, ripe flavors gleaned from the warm summer.
Vineyard Sites
JMD Vineyard, Own rooted Pommard, and Wadenswil, planted 1988, Elevation 730 feet, Certified Organic
Zielinski Vineyard, Own-rooted Pommard and 777, planted 1979, Elevation 650 feet, Jory soils
Cattrall Vineyard, Own rooted Wadenswil and Upright clones, planted 1973 and 1979, Elevation 750 feet, Certified Organic
Kristin Hill Vineyard, Mixed clone planted 1985-1990, 235 feet elevation
Specs
Appellation: Eola-Amity Hills
Pick Date: September 21st to October 10th
Harvest Brix (avg): 22.4
Barrel Regime: 12 to 16 months in mixed 2-year-old French cooperage
pH: 3.45
TA: 6.2
Alcohol: 12.6%
Bottled August 2015
1,200 cases produced
2014 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Tasting Notes
A selection of our favorite barrels from the vintage, the 2014 Selection is an elegant, terroir-driven Pinot Noir. With a lustrous garnet hue in the glass, the wine opens with rich aromas of black cherries, forest floor, and baking spices. Seductively savory notes of elderberry and driftwood smoke on the palate are punctuated by vibrant acidity and fine tannins. The finish is long and resonant, with notes of blood orange and incense cedar. Exceptional now, we believe it will continue to evolve for at least a decade.
Vinification
The fruit was 100% destemmed with a high percentage of whole berries to 1.5-ton fermenters. An average of four days of cold soak ensured gentle yet thorough extraction of color and flavor. The small lots were fermented with BRG, BGY, 71B, and wild strain yeasts for an average of seven days and hand-punched two to three times daily. The wine was aged twenty months in mixed two-year-old French cooperage before being blended and bottled. This wine was minimally processed from free-run juice without fining or filtration.
Vintage Notes
The 2014 vintage may be remembered as the vintage of a lifetime. Conditions were optimal throughout the growing season. Bud break averaged two weeks early, and the lead was maintained through to harvest. Spring conditions were dry and warm, producing even flowering and heavy fruit sets. Warm nights and moderate daytime temperatures during the summer months contributed to even ripening without heat stress. Harvest began in late September, about two weeks early. Conditions remained mostly dry through September with a few showers at the end of the month, which helped lower the rapidly rising sugars. The fruit arrived in pristine condition, with no signs of disease or bird damage, and we processed it in short-sleeved shirts and counted our blessings.
Vineyard Sites - Eola-Amity Hills AVA
Cattrall Vineyard, Own rooted Wadenswil and Upright clones, planted 1973 and 1979, Elevation 750 feet, Certified Organic
JMD Vineyard, Own rooted Pommard, and Wadenswil, planted 1988, Elevation 730 feet, Certified Organic
Temperance Hill Vineyard, Own rooted Wadenswil, planted 1982, Elevation 700 feet, Certified Organic
Zielinski Vineyard, Own-rooted Pommard and 777, planted 1975, Elevation 650 feet, Jory soils
Crannell Vineyard, Own-rooted 115, planted 1998, Elevation 575 feet, Nekia and Jory soils
Madrona Hill Vineyard, Mixed clone planted 1971, 300-600 feet elevation
Vineyard Site - Willamette Valley AVA
Sunnyside Vineyard, Own-rooted Upright, and Wadenswil, planted 1970, Jory and Nekia soils, elevation 700 feet, LIVE certified
Specs
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Pick Date: September 29th to October 10th
Harvest Brix (avg): 22.8
Barrel Regime: 20 months in mixed 2-year-old French cooperage
pH: 3.31
TA: 6.6
Alcohol: 13.2%
Bottled September 2017
1,013 cases produced
2015 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
93 points, Wine Panel
Tasting Notes
Our Pinot Noir is a selection of our favorite barrels of the vintage from three mature, own-rooted organic vineyards, the 2015 Selection Pinot Noir is an elegant homage to the windy slopes of the Eola-Amity Hills.
A selection of our favorite barrels of the vintage from three mature, own-rooted organic vineyards, the 2015 Selection Pinot Noir is an elegant homage to the windy slopes of the Eola-Amity Hills. Black cherry, anise, and wormwood aromas lead into cassis and elderberry with a touch of sandalwood. Focused tannins are balanced with brilliant acidity.
Winemaking
The fruit was 100% destemmed with a high percentage of whole berries to 1.5-ton fermenters. Cold soak lengths of an average of seven days ensured gentle yet thorough extraction of color and flavor. The small lots were fermented for an average of twelve days, and hand-punched two to three times daily. The wine was aged eighteen months in mixed French cooperage two to three years old before being blended, and bottled without fining or filtration.
Vintage Notes
Echoing the touted 2014 vintage, conditions for the 2015 vintage were optimal throughout the growing season. The season began with warm weather in the winter that continued throughout spring and summer, resulting in bud break and bloom occurring about three weeks ahead of normal under exceptionally favorable conditions. A few light showers in late August and cooler weather in September offered a welcome break in a hot, sunny summer. As a result, the abundant crop of fruit showed balance in addition to ripeness and concentration. Harvest began in early September, making 2015 one of the earliest harvests on record. The fruit arrived in pristine condition, with virtually no sign of disease or bird damage.
Vineyard Sites
37% Temperance Hill, a certified Organic vineyard. Own-rooted Wadenswil clone, planted in 1982 with an elevation of 700 feet.
33% JMD a certified Organic vineyard. Own-rooted Pommard and Wadenswil clones, planted in 1988 with an elevation of 700 feet.
30% Cattrall, a certified Organic vineyard. Own-rooted Wadenswil and Upright clones, planted in 1973 and 1979 with an elevation of 750 feet.
Specs
Barrel Regime: 18 months in mixed French cooperage
Alcohol: 13.6%
What’s Included
3-bottles:
1x 2013 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
1x 2014 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
1x 2015 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
Case:
4x 2013 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
4x 2014 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
4x 2015 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
The intent of Ransom Wine Company is to create artisan-crafted wines that exemplify the true varietal character and express the individuality of the growers, vineyard sites, and vintages. Our belief is that wine is best made by hand with minimal intervention. Winemaking decisions are mainly based on taste, instinct, the will of the grapes, and a bit of common sense. We believe that wine is an integral part of everyday meals, complimenting the food and adding to the sense of delight and fulfillment found in gathering to eat and drink. It is the function of wine to enhance fellowship, discussion, and the exchange of ideas. So visit the market, invite over friends and family, and raise a toast to health and happiness through good meals, conversation, and socializing! SALUD!
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Opening the wine we noticed the red stain of the cork all the way up the side. We were a little worried but upon pouring it into the glass and smelling, swirling, and smelling again, the wine didn’t seem to be off.
And so, on to the color. Very light and somewhat cranberry, typical of a pinot.
The smell was that of light hints of cherry and watermelon jolly rancher.
The taste was underwhelming and muted. Swirling for a while, the wine opened up but nothing substantial was noticed except for a bit of strawberry and cherry on the front of the tongue. Not tannic at all and is very smooth. We paired it with strawberry shortcake and the strawberry in the glass on the nose and pallet did come through a little more. This wine is so light that I’m afraid it would get totally lost with food.
We live in the area where this wine comes from and enjoy many a pinot noir. A lot of the stuff that’s coming out of Oregon has high prices and takes a much more sophisticated pallet than my own to fully enjoy at those prices. I’d say this wine is an entry-level pinot and with the age is most likely a drink now kind of wine but maybe could improve with a little age. But, being that we were all somewhat underwhelmed with it and the fact that my cellar is completely full I don’t think I’ll be buying any.
Big thank you to Alice and WineDavid for the opportunity to rat, always a fun time! Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of any help.
Cheers!
@ApplePI@jclarkie78
/giphy wonderful-tinseled-santa
Will be open to (one more) someone else looking to get a 3bottle vert from this if we split it out for 4 folks….
My wife and I closed on our first house December 5th and moved December 8th, so we’ve been touching a lot of boxes the past several weeks. To the point I’m box weary. However, when Alice said another box was coming my way late last week….this one I looked forward to! Many thanks to David and team for the rat opportunity.
Upon initial taste after PnP, the wine seemed tight, with not a ton of noticeable fruit. After about 15-20 minutes, our tasting group picked up red fruit such as raspberry and strawberry; and one even mentioned cassis.
While not certainly offensive, this is a lighter style Pinot with a short finish. I love Pinot Noir, and drink a fair amount from Oregon - but would probably pass on this offer after what I tasted today - Especially if drinking with fellow Pinot heads.
However, I can also envision a scenario where, at this pricing, someone who enjoys a varietal vertical could have some fun with friends and not break the bank - FWIW.
I’ll be tracking this all day today so please, let me know if you have any questions! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Casemates!
I would have appreciated it if a smaller number of bottles were available for a compromise price per bottle - say 6 bottles for $80. I have no room for a case, but would love to try the vertical and put three away.
@CruelMelody@mtglass It’s also to cover the shipping. It’s maybe $25-30 to obtain the packing materials and ship a 3-pack while it’s closer to $35-40 for a case - maybe even more now. Part of the case discount/small lot penalty is to make up for that.
@CruelMelody@klezman Thanks for shedding more light on the shipping mechanics (which I did not understand). Seems impossible that woot/amazon prime and Casemates are able to deliver for no additional price besides the membership fee.
A relatively recent eval on the 2015 from Wine Enthusiast:
86 Points. This wine seems to be at or slightly past its prime. Cherry cola fruit has a faded feeling, and the accents of leather and funk emphasize the sense that it should be consumed now. It finishes with a dash of lemon oil. PG 4/1/21
Also from Enthusiast, the '14:
88 Points. Rhubarb, watermelon, strawberry and lemon peel flavors carry this wine, a lightly ripened but nicely balanced example of the vintage. It was aged for 20 months in “mixed” French oak—apparently not too much of it new—and bottled unfined and unfiltered. PG 10/1/19
and the '13:
87 Points. This late release sourced from several vineyards dating back to the 1970s and 1980s is thin on the palate, with tart plum, herb, orange peel and of pineapple hints. Low alcohol reflects the cool vintage. PG 10/1/17
Wine Spectacle on the '14:
86 Points. Soft and easygoing, with cherry and spice flavors. Drink now through 2020. 1,013 cases made. TF
Rusty The Prince Of Pinot said of the 2013:
12.6% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.62, 1,200 cases, $27.99. Low yields, own-rooted and nonirrigated mature vines, all free run juice. Sourced from four vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills. Harvest Brix 22.4º. 100% de-stemmed, 4-day cold soak, inoculated and wild yeast fermentation for average of 7 days with hand punchdowns. Aged 12 to 16 months in two-year-old French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose offers primarily stemmy, woody, and vegetal aromas with only a hint of cherry fruit. Light to mid weight flavors of red and purple berries with what can be described only as a grape popsicle taste. Also earthy and woody. The tannins are tame, the texture is appealing silky and there is some persistence on the finish. I just could not embrace the flavor of this wine. Score: 87. Reviewed August 6, 2017
Wine Advocate sipped on the '13…
88 Points. Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2013 Pinot Noir Selection offers up pronounced Mediterranean herbs and tree sap notes with a core of red cherries and cranberries. Medium-bodied, the palate is fine and fresh, with nice grippy tannins framing the delicate red berry and herbal notes, finishing with good persistence. Drink 2017-2021. LPB 8/31/17
…and they sipped from the '14:
89 Points. The pale to medium ruby-purple colored 2014 Pinot Noir Selection has faint saddle leather and wood smoke aromas over warm cranberries, potpourri, dusty earth and dried tea leaves. Light to medium-bodied, it has lovely earth-laced red and black fruits in the mouth, with soft grainy tannins and great mouthwatering acidity, finishing long and spicy. 1,013 cases produced. Drink 2018-2020. EB 8/31/18
We received the 2014 Ransom Pinot Noir from Eola Amity Hills.
Upon PnP aromas were muted with minimum alcohol. First sip was fairly tight with very muted fruit. We let is sit for about 30 mins and had our 2nd attempt. The wine opened and little showing light cherry cola and rhubarb. We let the wine continue to decant with minimal changes to the flavor profile. This is a very light, drinkable wine. I don’t think it could handle a lot more aging. One note, while I am not a hug fan of unfiltered wine, the 2014 Random had very minimal amounts of sediment.
If you are looking for a very easy drinking wine that will not set you back a ton and like PN, this wine could be for you.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Ransom Selection Oregon Pinot Noir Vertical - $80 = 39.99%
2013 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
90 Points, Vinous
Tasting Notes
Vinification
Vintage Notes
Vineyard Sites
Specs
2014 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Tasting Notes
Vinification
Vintage Notes
Vineyard Sites - Eola-Amity Hills AVA
Vineyard Site - Willamette Valley AVA
Specs
2015 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
93 points, Wine Panel
Tasting Notes
Winemaking
Vintage Notes
Vineyard Sites
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $420/case MSRP
About The Winery
The Ransom Wine Company
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Tuesday, Jan 17
Ransom Selection Oregon Pinot Noir Vertical
3 bottles for $49.99 $16.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2013 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir
2014 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir
2015 Ransom Selection Pinot Noir
2013 Ransom Pinot Noir
Opening the wine we noticed the red stain of the cork all the way up the side. We were a little worried but upon pouring it into the glass and smelling, swirling, and smelling again, the wine didn’t seem to be off.
And so, on to the color. Very light and somewhat cranberry, typical of a pinot.
The smell was that of light hints of cherry and watermelon jolly rancher.
The taste was underwhelming and muted. Swirling for a while, the wine opened up but nothing substantial was noticed except for a bit of strawberry and cherry on the front of the tongue. Not tannic at all and is very smooth. We paired it with strawberry shortcake and the strawberry in the glass on the nose and pallet did come through a little more. This wine is so light that I’m afraid it would get totally lost with food.
We live in the area where this wine comes from and enjoy many a pinot noir. A lot of the stuff that’s coming out of Oregon has high prices and takes a much more sophisticated pallet than my own to fully enjoy at those prices. I’d say this wine is an entry-level pinot and with the age is most likely a drink now kind of wine but maybe could improve with a little age. But, being that we were all somewhat underwhelmed with it and the fact that my cellar is completely full I don’t think I’ll be buying any.
Big thank you to Alice and WineDavid for the opportunity to rat, always a fun time! Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of any help.
Cheers!
Splits of any type for my #DMV folks? Happy to split out 4 diff 3piece verticals if it works that way……
@bunnymasseuse I’d be up for one of each vintage if you want to split
@ApplePI @bunnymasseuse I’m in for a vertical as well! I think I still have 3 Gards for you in the basement bunny.
@ApplePI @jclarkie78 JC I think you are right!
@ApplePI @jclarkie78
/giphy wonderful-tinseled-santa
Will be open to (one more) someone else looking to get a 3bottle vert from this if we split it out for 4 folks….
2015 Ransom Pinot Noir
My wife and I closed on our first house December 5th and moved December 8th, so we’ve been touching a lot of boxes the past several weeks. To the point I’m box weary. However, when Alice said another box was coming my way late last week….this one I looked forward to! Many thanks to David and team for the rat opportunity.
Upon initial taste after PnP, the wine seemed tight, with not a ton of noticeable fruit. After about 15-20 minutes, our tasting group picked up red fruit such as raspberry and strawberry; and one even mentioned cassis.
While not certainly offensive, this is a lighter style Pinot with a short finish. I love Pinot Noir, and drink a fair amount from Oregon - but would probably pass on this offer after what I tasted today - Especially if drinking with fellow Pinot heads.
However, I can also envision a scenario where, at this pricing, someone who enjoys a varietal vertical could have some fun with friends and not break the bank - FWIW.
I’ll be tracking this all day today so please, let me know if you have any questions! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Casemates!
@coolac5 Did you try all three or just one of the verticals? Curious which one it was?
@bunnymasseuse I just had the 2015
@coolac5 Thanks for the useful rattage!
I would have appreciated it if a smaller number of bottles were available for a compromise price per bottle - say 6 bottles for $80. I have no room for a case, but would love to try the vertical and put three away.
@mtglass theres a three bottle option…and you could buy two sets…
@mtglass reach out to people you know! I assume the large price differences happen when the winery is hoping to move a large amount of inventory.
@CruelMelody @mtglass It’s also to cover the shipping. It’s maybe $25-30 to obtain the packing materials and ship a 3-pack while it’s closer to $35-40 for a case - maybe even more now. Part of the case discount/small lot penalty is to make up for that.
@CruelMelody @klezman Thanks for shedding more light on the shipping mechanics (which I did not understand). Seems impossible that woot/amazon prime and Casemates are able to deliver for no additional price besides the membership fee.
A relatively recent eval on the 2015 from Wine Enthusiast:
86 Points. This wine seems to be at or slightly past its prime. Cherry cola fruit has a faded feeling, and the accents of leather and funk emphasize the sense that it should be consumed now. It finishes with a dash of lemon oil. PG 4/1/21
Also from Enthusiast, the '14:
88 Points. Rhubarb, watermelon, strawberry and lemon peel flavors carry this wine, a lightly ripened but nicely balanced example of the vintage. It was aged for 20 months in “mixed” French oak—apparently not too much of it new—and bottled unfined and unfiltered. PG 10/1/19
and the '13:
87 Points. This late release sourced from several vineyards dating back to the 1970s and 1980s is thin on the palate, with tart plum, herb, orange peel and of pineapple hints. Low alcohol reflects the cool vintage. PG 10/1/17
Wine Spectacle on the '14:
86 Points. Soft and easygoing, with cherry and spice flavors. Drink now through 2020. 1,013 cases made. TF
Rusty The Prince Of Pinot said of the 2013:
12.6% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.62, 1,200 cases, $27.99. Low yields, own-rooted and nonirrigated mature vines, all free run juice. Sourced from four vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills. Harvest Brix 22.4º. 100% de-stemmed, 4-day cold soak, inoculated and wild yeast fermentation for average of 7 days with hand punchdowns. Aged 12 to 16 months in two-year-old French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose offers primarily stemmy, woody, and vegetal aromas with only a hint of cherry fruit. Light to mid weight flavors of red and purple berries with what can be described only as a grape popsicle taste. Also earthy and woody. The tannins are tame, the texture is appealing silky and there is some persistence on the finish. I just could not embrace the flavor of this wine. Score: 87. Reviewed August 6, 2017
Wine Advocate sipped on the '13…
88 Points. Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2013 Pinot Noir Selection offers up pronounced Mediterranean herbs and tree sap notes with a core of red cherries and cranberries. Medium-bodied, the palate is fine and fresh, with nice grippy tannins framing the delicate red berry and herbal notes, finishing with good persistence. Drink 2017-2021. LPB 8/31/17
…and they sipped from the '14:
89 Points. The pale to medium ruby-purple colored 2014 Pinot Noir Selection has faint saddle leather and wood smoke aromas over warm cranberries, potpourri, dusty earth and dried tea leaves. Light to medium-bodied, it has lovely earth-laced red and black fruits in the mouth, with soft grainy tannins and great mouthwatering acidity, finishing long and spicy. 1,013 cases produced. Drink 2018-2020. EB 8/31/18
fwiw
@kaolis Sounds like it’s worth the $10/bottle tariff?
@klezman not a player personally but don’t see a downside at that price
@kaolis Exactly my thinking, and I’m also not a player here
2014 Ransom Pinot Noir
We received the 2014 Ransom Pinot Noir from Eola Amity Hills.
Upon PnP aromas were muted with minimum alcohol. First sip was fairly tight with very muted fruit. We let is sit for about 30 mins and had our 2nd attempt. The wine opened and little showing light cherry cola and rhubarb. We let the wine continue to decant with minimal changes to the flavor profile. This is a very light, drinkable wine. I don’t think it could handle a lot more aging. One note, while I am not a hug fan of unfiltered wine, the 2014 Random had very minimal amounts of sediment.
If you are looking for a very easy drinking wine that will not set you back a ton and like PN, this wine could be for you.
I see SoCal lit up, finally. Might there be a set up for grabs?
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Ransom Selection Oregon Pinot Noir Vertical - $80 = 39.99%