2016 Bow + Arrow Rhinestones

Region: Willamette Valley < Oregon
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming; aged in a combo of concrete and old barriques; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal SO2; 12.5% ABV
Winemaker: Scott Frank

Scott Frank freaked out after witnessing the twin towers fall in Manhattan on 9/11 — “I was on the 47th floor of a skyscraper that day and watched that shit in real time live.” So, he moved to Portland, where he was jobless and “bottoming out” until he bluffed his way into a job at the wine department of local market, where he found his passion. He worked harvest in Australia, drank his way through France, and now makes his Bow & Arrow wine in a basement in downtown Portland. Frustrated by the high price of Oregon wine, he says he wants his to be “wines of the people, ready to drink now, and at a price they’d be willing to pay at the corner store”. He considers himself a scrappy négociant, but we think he’s a serious winemaker to watch. Because his wines are not only super clean, but incredibly delicious. Like this Rhinestones bottling from Willamette Valley’s biodynamic Johan Vineyard (in one of the region cooler areas). 60/40 Pinot + Gamay, an homage to the wines of the Loire’s Cheverny, it’s like a greatest hits album, dishing up the best of both grapes in a juicy black raspberry, tart cherry and Mediterranean spice package (thanks Gamay!), wrapping with a pure Pinot finish. Super chuggable on its own, but also a versatile food wine that would be great with anything mushroom or meaty.