Appassionata, Fortissimo - Willamette Valley 2013

Appassionata, Ernst Loosen’s passion project

Appassionata is initially a passion project for the renowned German winemaker Ernst Loosen, whose lifelong love for exploring great Pinot Noirs around the world led him to Oregon nearly three decades ago. Appassionata aims to express the full potential of this very special place, the Willamette Valley, whose hills were formed by volcanic activity and which benefits from a cool climate. The wines take advantage of these climatic and geological conditions that define the region's reputation, as well as extended bottle aging before release, which reveals their exceptional aging potential.

The Pinot Noir Fortissimo is crafted for ultimate expressiveness and longevity. It is aged in bottles for a minimum of 10 years before being released. It embodies the purest expression that Ernst Loosen seeks in Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs—a wine that combines dark intensity with light grace and showcases the great aging potential of Oregon wines.

The 2013 Vintage:

The summer was sunny and warm, with beneficial rains before the harvest. The 2013 vintage required meticulous sorting of the fruit, resulting in elegant and balanced wines. The Pinots from this vintage are energetic and vibrant. Tim Malone, the winemaking director, considers this vintage to be one of the greatest.

Tasting notes:

The Fortissimo is the pinnacle of aging potential for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Selected for ultimate longevity, it is only released after 10 years. This wine combines intensity and grace, with impressive concentration, juicy acidity, vibrant aromas, and a well-integrated finish. At this stage of maturation, the tertiary aromas reveal deep complexity and earthy subtlety that develop with bottle age.

matthewjukes.com

18,5

byMatthew Jukesthe9/18/2024

I did not understand this Pinot Noir at all last year. Yet, this 2013, which is intentionally late-released, does what it is supposed to do: rival global ten-year-old Pinots, giving them a decent run for their money despite their nomenclature. It does just this.

The Drink Business

byColin Haythe8/31/2024

(Oregon; 100% Pinot Noir on a volcanic clay terroir; 13.4% alcohol; tasted with Timothy Malone, the winemaker; matured for 20 months in French oak barriques, 25% of which were new; bottled 22-24 months after vinification and held for 10 years, guaranteeing provenance; just 130 cases made). Ernst Loosen’s Oregon Pinot Noir. From a tricky and challenging vintage, with a big dollop of rain before the harvest requiring rigorous sorting. Floral. Crushed petals, rose water, a little thyme and oregano, Bergamot too. Pink rose petals in picture-perfect pixilated detail! That parfumier’s rose petal scent too, very fine and pure – just more intense than one could ever find naturally. The petal character is reinforced by the black tea note and there’s a little sous bois too. There’s a very fresh fruit signature too. Raspberry, black raspberry, loganberry and red cherry, a hint of peach and apricot, cherry sweets (picking up that natural sweetness). White pepper. A hint of clove. This is aerial, energetic, lithe, crystalline and intensely limpid at least on the full and ample opening. Yet the grippy, grainy tannins build as this unfolds over the palate. Shimmering and gorgeous texturally, with plunge-pool clarity in the mid-palate. Still very much a vin de garde at this stage, this is a wine build for aging, yet it’s already very fluid on the extraordinary finish. I understand the logic of releasing this late now much more than I did for the 2012. I find this a big step up from the first release.

Jamessuckling.com

byJames Sucklingthe8/15/2024

Beefy, meaty, woodsy aromas and savory elements of grilled plums and roasted beets give a lot of personality to this intentionally late-released wine. Fresh texture with good acidity, a medium body and light tannins for great structure. The finish echoes roasted walnut, forest floor and wild mushroom nuances. The most serious and age-worthy of Ernst Loosen’s Oregon bottles. Drink or hold.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

byJane Ansonthe7/3/2024

Soft ruby rose in colour, crushed rose petals on the nose, rose buds, redcurrant, so softly spoken and yet with concentration and lift. At the tertiary stage now 10 years old, forest floor and black truffles, gently stretching out on the finish, beautiful. Winemaker Timothy Malone, owner Ernie Loosen, Bob Bertheau former winemaker for Ste Michelle for almost two decades, and long term friend and collaborator with Ernie Loosen, now consultant.

Information:	Details:
Couleur	Rouge
Cépages	Pinot Noir 100 %
Appellation	Willamette Valley
Millesime	2013
Contenance	Bouteille (75 cl)

Information:

Details:

Couleur

Rouge

Cépages

Pinot Noir 100 %

Appellation

Willamette Valley

Millesime

2013

Contenance

Bouteille (75 cl)

Un repas	Autour du repas
Un cadeau	Faire une découverte !

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Appassionata, Fortissimo - Willamette Valley 2013

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