Angel Vine owners Ed and Laureen Fus moved their family to Oregon in 1997 to pursue their dream of farming a vineyard. The Three Angels Vineyard (named after Laureen and their two daughters) is located in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills and produces Pinot Noir used by several local wineries. Ed eventually decided to make his own wine focusing on single vineyard Zinfandel with grapes sourced from Washington. Angel Vine also produces a Zinfandel blend, Petite Sirah and Primitivo.
Ed recently sent me the new releases to review.
2013 Angel Vine Primitivo – Crimson in color. 14.4% ABV. Savory nose of black fruits, earth and iron. Medium body with medium acidity. Rich and plush on the palate. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, pepper and iodine. The finish is long and silky. Lots to like here. Drink over the next few years. $20 at the winery and retail. My rating: 90 points.
2013 Angel Vine The Hellion – Crimson in color. 14.6% ABV. 46% Primitivo, 29% Petite Sirah and 25% Zinfandel. Pretty nose of black fruits, white pepper and licorice. Medium to full body with light acidity. Rich, lush and jammy. Blackberries, raspberry liqueur and baking spice on the palate. The finish is long and spicy. Delicious and easy to drink. Enjoy over the next couple years. $24 at the winery and retail. My rating: 91 points.
2015 Angel Vine The Cluster Fus – Maroon in color. 14.1% ABV. 80% Mourvedre, 11% Zinfandel and 9%5 Primitivo. Black fruits, smoke and anise on the nose. Medium body with nice acidity. Elegant and complex. Blackberries, plums, white pepper and baking spices on the palate. Medium length on the finish. Unique and delicious. Drink over the next 2-4 years. $28 at the winery and retail. My rating: 91 points.
2012 Angel Vine Petite Sirah Stonetree Vineyard – Opaque purple in color. 14.9% ABV. Brooding nose of black fruits, scorched earth and iron. Full bodied with medium acidity. Big, powerful and concentrated. Blackberries, currants and coffee on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long with fine grained tannins. Drink over the next 4-6 years. $22 at the winery and retail. My rating: 92 points.
2012 Angel Vine Zinfandel Alder Ridge Vineyard – Maroon in color. 14.1% ABV. From a vineyard near the Columbia River, 15 miles west of Patterson, WA. Brambly nose of red fruits, plums and cassis. Medium body with medium acidity. Claret style Zinfandel. Raspberries, strawberries and pepper on the palate. Medium length on the finish. The Zinfandel is good to go now. $24 at the winery and retail. My rating: 91 points.
2012 Angel Vine Zinfandel Avery Vineyard – Crimson in color. 14.5% ABV. The vineyard is located about 6 miles east of the Dalles on the Washington side of the Columbia River. Enticing nose of black fruits, spiced plums and black pepper. Medium body with tangy acidity. Elegant and fresh. Blackberry, black cherry and spice on the palate. The finish is long and sweet. One of the better WA Zins I have tried. Drink over the next 2-4 years. $24 at the winery and retail. My rating: 91 points.
Props from this wine consumer to Angel Vine for having the foresight to pursue Washington Zinfandel. Like California, Washington has a climate that is warm enough to produce great Zins. What Washington does not have is the historic old vine Zinfandel vineyards that make those California Zins so special. As the vineyards mature, Angel Vine will be well positioned to champion Washington Zinfandel. Additionally, I have no shortage of Red Mountain Cabs or Syrahs from The Rocks. These wines are unique, food friendly and fairly priced. Check Angel Vine out!
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