Medium ruby-garnet color; cherry, raspberry, sour cherry, peppercorn, baking spices, rose petals, cedar, sage on the nose and palate.
Dry; subtle tannins; balancing acidity. Light-medium body, svelte, restrained alcohol. Reflects the lighter, more ethereal side of Oregon pinot noir—very desirable for my palate. Sour cherries and raspberry coulis mingle on the mid-palate and finish to give some panache and surprise. 13% ABV
The wine is 100% pinot noir from Sealionne Wines (Privé Vineyards) estate vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Blend of 115, Pommard, 777, and Wädensville clones grown on marine sediment soil at elevations of 300-800 feet. Bunches 100% destemmed, fermented in stainless steel. Aged in 55% new French oak and 45% neutral oak.
Sealionne Wines is a boutique winery launched by the huband-and-wife team of Piper Underbrink and Ben Stalker. It is the second label of Privé Vineyard. Both brands share ownership and the winemaking team. The name derives from SeaLyon, a wooden speed boat popular in New York City in the 1920s-1930s and known for exceptional performance. Piper and Ben conceived their Sealionne concept while cruising with family on a SeaLyon boat built in 1925.
Piper grew up on the family’s beef-cattle ranch in Florida, graduated from a liberal arts college in Vermont (where she captained the volleyball team), decided to give winemaking a fling after graduating, went to California and learned winemaking from the ground up. She decided that is what she wanted to do with her life and took classes at UC-Davis to enhance her skills. Now she owns, runs, and makes wonderful wine. Florida cattle girl makes good in wine.
Tina and Mark Hammond started Privé Vineyard on beautiful property in 2000. In 2020, Piper Rosales-Underbrink found Privé Vineyard and the Hammonds through mutual friends and she quickly became part of the family. The Hammonds wanted to sell and retire. Piper, with her father, had the resources to buy. And so they did amid the high-water mark of the Covid epidemic. The result is Sealionne-Privé, brands to look for where you buy wine.
Sealionne Wines Kilig Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2022 is a lovely, restrained, elegant, sophisticated effort from Privé Vineyards top vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Oregon pinot royalty. Excellent fruit, light-medium body, restrained alcohol all work to make this a delight. This, and many Oregon pinot noirs, deliciously hit the middle-ground between California’s heavier, riper exuberance and Burgundy’s earthiness and emphasis on structure. $42-45
Pairing—Salmon is classic pinot noir pairing; cedar-planked salmon with herbs, pan-seared salmon with pickled ginger butter; grilled tuna or swordfish; scallops, shrimp, lobster with butter sauces. Turkey, roast chicken, duck with cherry or plum-based sauces, quail and other delicate game birds. Pork tenderloin, grilled pork with herbs; lamb chops, rack of lamb. Stuffed mushrooms, mushroom risotto or pasta, portobello mushroom sandwiches, roasted beets, butternut squash, grilled zucchini. Cheese—brie, camembert, taleggio, chèvre, Portland Creamery fresh chèvre; gruyère, comté, aged gouda; truffle-infused cheeses for a decadent pairing.
