Evening Land’s red wines begin with the 2010 Gamay Noir Celebration. It was sourced from a parcel planted in 1983, the first commercial plantings of Gamay Noir in the USA. It was fermented Beaujolais style with indigenous carbonic maceration in a closed vat. The wine was then aged in used French oak. Aromas of smoke, game, and meat inform the nose of a savory, concentrated wine with loads of flavor, excellent acidity, and a lengthy finish. Drink this outstanding effort over the next 4-5 years. Evening Land Vineyards is a group headed by movie magnate Mark Tarlov that also owns Pinot vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Santa Rita Hills and is making wines in Burgundy. They gained control of one of the Willamette Valley’s prized properties, Seven Springs Vineyard, and created an immediate sensation by signing on Dominique Lafon of Comte Lafon in Burgundy as consulting winemaker. The Evening Land group is also making a major effort to restore the health and vitality of Seven Springs. The most recent development is the addition of renowned Master Sommelier Larry Stone as President and GM of the group in August 2010.Tel. (503) 395-2520; www.eveninglandvineyards.com

The 2009 Celebration Les Gamines was also carbonically fermented with aging in 20% new oak. It is a blend of 60% Gamay and 40% Pinot in the style of Bourgogne Passetoutgrain. Medium ruby-colored, it emits herbal/terroir aromas and blueberry and plum fruit scents. Round and savory on the palate with excellent concentration and length, it is what the French would call a vin de plaisir. Drink this terrific value over the next 3-4 years. Evening Land Vineyards is a group headed by movie magnate Mark Tarlov that also owns Pinot vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Santa Rita Hills and is making wines in Burgundy. They gained control of one of the Willamette Valley’s prized properties, Seven Springs Vineyard, and created an immediate sensation by signing on Dominique Lafon of Comte Lafon in Burgundy as consulting winemaker. The Evening Land group is also making a major effort to restore the health and vitality of Seven Springs. The most recent development is the addition of renowned Master Sommelier Larry Stone as President and GM of the group in August 2010. Over the past 2-3 years there has been an awakening among some of the Willamette Valley’s most distinguished vignerons that their region is capable of producing world class Chardonnay. With Dominique Lafon and Larry Stone on board, there is no question that Evening Lands will be playing a starring role in this drama. There are now two serious Gamay producers in the Willamette Valley, Doug Tunnell of Brick House being the other.www.eveninglandvineyard.com

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