Omero Cellars
Oregon wine country revisited, part 6

Website: www.omerocellars.com

It was another beautiful Oregon summer’s day, and as I arrived at Omero, I was greeted by David Moore (owner/general manager) and Chad Stock (winemaker). We had a look around the vineyard and then sat down outside for a tasting. There’s no winery on the property; these wines were made at the Carlton Winemakers’ Studio by Chad, although they had just purchased a building in Carlton that they were trying to get ready for vintage. 

David Moore

Omero was started in 2008 by David Moore and his father, and it’s a 26 acre vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA (22 Pinot Noir, 4 Pinot Gris).  David’s father is in the construction business and has moved around the USA; he’s currently living in Las Vegas. Wine was always present in the house when David grew up. He did a college course in construction management and then went to culinary school, which was followed by a stint cooking in Seattle. To get closer to wine he moved from the kitchen to front of house, and then in 2007 an opportunity to come to the Willamette Valley presented itself. ‘I decided to start this vineyard,’ says David. ‘Something tangible.’ His dad’s involved in the bigger picture, but he acts as general manager.

Chad Stock

Chad Stock has a degree in enology from Fresno State, and did his first vintage in Napa, at Rudd. He came straight from there to be assistant winemaker at Antica Terra, and then in 2011 he started consulting. He has his own label, Minimus, and he started consulting full time for Omero in January 2014. These wines are very impressive, with Chardonnay especially strong. Production is 6000 cases.

Interesting aside: Chad says that when stems are used in Pinot Noir, he finds the best results come from using just 20-30% or from 70-100%. The middle range, he finds, is not very nice.

THE WINES

Omero Pinot Gris 2013 Oregon
This is from an east-facing steep slope, and it’s barrel fermented and aged on lees. The goal is to make a richer, more textured style of Pinot Gris. This is textured and fruity with lovely weight of sweet grapey fruit with some spiciness, as well as apple and pear fruit. 89/100

Omero Chardonnay 2012 Oregon
This comes from older vines in the Dundee Hills and McMinville, and it is predominantly clone 108 (heat-treated Wente) and Dijon 96. 60% malolactic, 13.1% alcohol. Taut and beautiful with fine toast, herbs and mineral, with lovely precision. Fine, delicate acidity and nice texture. Gentle and elegant. 94/100

Omero Extended Elevage Chardonnay 2012 Oregon
This is from a highland vineyard and it’s all old vine 108 clone 4, 12.5% alcohol, 20% malolactic. Such finesse on the nose with fine toastiness. Lovely pear and citrus fruit. Supple and bright; pure; with keen acidity. A wonderful wine with amazing complexity. 95/100

Omero Ribbon Ridge Rosé of Pinot Noir 2013 Oregon
Fresh, sappy, with nice texture and some cherry fruit. Sweet fruit and nice balance. 89/100

Omero Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 Oregon
60% whole cluster. Supple, fine black fruits. Rich but with some spicy restraint. Generous and fresh with lovely detail on the palate and a savoury twist. Very stylish.

Omero Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2011 Oregon
Predominantly estate wine, with lots of Pommard clone. Spicy, expressive nose with real finesse to the red cherry fruit. Lovely red fruits palate with elegance, freshness and structure. There’s a brightness here, with a savoury edge and some grip. Fabulous wine. 95/100

Omero Coats and Whitney Vineyard 2011 Oregon
From a 7 acre vineyard near Carlton that tends to produce structured, tannic wines with more acidity. Lovely cherries, plums and red fruits with a hint of ginger spice. Pretty and lively with nice precision. 93/100

Omero Omero Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 Oregon
Best barrels from the estate. Fresh and precise red cherry fruit with a bit of raspberry too. Nicely structured with subtle herbs and juicy acidity, with a primary fruit core. Bright and focused. 94/100

OREGON REVISITED
Matello
Lenné
Johan Vineyards
J Christopher
Brooks
Omero
Trisaetum
Colene-Clemens
Bergstrom
Adelsheim
Big Table Farm
Westry
Walter Scott
Antica Terra
 

See also:

Visiting Oregon, July 2008 (series)
 

Wines tasted 07/14  
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com

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