It’s been a decade – spring 2011 – since the husband/wife team of George Hillberry and Carla Rodríguez took over their estate vineyards near Chehalem Creek. La Sierra is the younger of their two complex sister sites with micro-blocks in the Dundee Hills, and this lot is the product of Block 1. They devoted that 2006 planting to Pommard, which helps explain the brooding profile of dark red fruit, and the Garonnaise barrel program of French oak adds enticing chai spice notes to the backgrond hints of Weetabix and cedar. That bright Dundee Hills fruit profile of raspberry, red currant and cranberry sauce dominates the flavors and the structure, which carries vibrant acidity ahead of the nibble of currant seed. Earlier this fall, Rodriguez, a native of the Mexican state of Coahuila, played a leading role in the Raices Unidas – Celebrating Hispanic Roots campaign in the Willamette Valley. With that in mind, the high tech executive suggested fare for this includes carne asada or dishes featuring a smoky chipotle sauce.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 250 cases
Alcohol 12.9%
Leave a Reply