Let's Get Gothic

A craving by definition is “powerful desire for something ….” It’s a desire for sensation. Be it food, wine, peace, knowledge, sense of belonging, human touch, beautiful words, a soft kiss, the list is limitless. I often have cravings for certain types of food and wine. It could be the change seasons, my mood or just because I REALLY WANT IT. You know what I mean, don’t you? Well today I was craving something otherworldly, something to rock my senses. I decided to go gothic - Gothic Wines that is. Located in McMinnville, Willamette Valley, Oregon, this region produces top quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. The red wines made here are elegant and structured, with complex flavors of dark fruit and spice. McMinnville is located in the southern area of Willamette Valley Oregon. It sits along the Coast Range foothills (protection from Pacific winds & rain shadow).

In 2009 Josh Nadel left the NYC food and wine scene behind to create elegant food friendly wines inspired by the old world classics with minimalistic winemaking with limited releases. His wines draw inspiration from the 18th century Gothic Tales (as examples The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Dracula by Bram Stoker) and this particular wine was named Eldritch (or Otherwordly because this wine is). Limited releases are the Hyland vineyard old vines which benefit from elevation (600-800feet), cool maritime Pacific air, red volcanic soils and a long ripening season thanks to low rainfall. This wine was briefly cold soaked, aged for 12 months in French oak (25% is new).

Gothic Hyland Vineyard McMinnville Pinot Noir 2014

McMinnville AVA, Willamette Valley, USA

Pours into the glass a pale ruby color.

Swirl and the wildly perfumed aromatics of red berries, vanilla cherry cola and earthy mushrooms awaken the senses.

Sip and the taste of crunchy red fruits assaults you - cranberry, red plum and strawberry, delicate floral and earthy mushrooms and truffles progress seamlessly into cloves, cinnamon (thanks to 25% new French oak) and finishes on just ripe earthy rhubarb bite. The tannins are supple and silky, the acid is lively and fresh. It’s a rendezvous for the senses - it’s gracefulness is intertwined with exotic & savory.

I paired this lovely Pinot with a One Pan Spiced (sweet paprika, dried sage and garlic) Spiced Chicken Breasts with Roasted Butternut Squash and Kale. My craving was successfully satisfied.