The 2008 Les Gamines Celebration is composed of 60% Gamay and 40% Pinot Noir aged for 9 months in 20% new French oak. This type of wine is called Passetoutgrain in Burgundy. Dark ruby-colored, it has an expressive nose of black cherry, blackberry, and plum. This is followed by a smooth-textured, ripe, savory wine with serious depth of flavor, excellent balance, and a fruit-filled finish. These two wines are previews of just how good the 2008 vintage is in Willamette Valley.Evening Land Vineyards is a new winery which controls the old and highly regarded Seven Springs Vineyard. It was previously sourced by St. Innocent and Bethel Heights among others and typically was a vineyard designate. The new team appears to be in capable hands with Dominique Lafon as consulting winemaker. The two value-priced releases feature Gamay made by carbonic maceration. The only other Oregon Gamay of which I am aware is made by Brick House which utilizes the same techniques as for their Pinot Noir.www.eveninglandvineyards.com

The 2008 Gamay Celebration Seven Springs Vineyard offers up fruity aromatics reminiscent of high class Cru Beaujolais. The wine has a bit of structure, chewy red and black fruit flavors, good balance, and a lengthy finish. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. By the way, I am told that this was the first planting of true Gamay in North America. Evening Land Vineyards is a new winery which controls the old and highly regarded Seven Springs Vineyard. It was previously sourced by St. Innocent and Bethel Heights among others and typically was a vineyard designate. The new team appears to be in capable hands with Dominique Lafon as consulting winemaker. The two value-priced releases feature Gamay made by carbonic maceration. The only other Oregon Gamay of which I am aware is made by Brick House which utilizes the same techniques as for their Pinot Noir.www.eveninglandvineyards.com