Beaux freres Review

About Beaux freres

Beaux Frères: Crafting World-Class Pinot Noir with Uncompromised Essence of Mother Nature

Beaux Frères is a renowned winery that has been producing world-class Pinot Noir since its inception. The company's philosophy remains the same, which is to craft wines that represent the uncompromised essence of Mother Nature. Beaux Frères' commitment to quality and sustainability has made it one of the most sought-after wineries in Oregon.

The History of Beaux Frères

Beaux Frères was founded in 1986 by Michael Etzel and his brother-in-law, Robert Parker Jr. The name "Beaux Frères" means "brothers-in-law" in French, which reflects the close relationship between Michael and Robert. They both shared a passion for wine and decided to start their own winery.

Initially, they purchased an 88-acre property in Yamhill County, Oregon, which had been abandoned for over 40 years. The land was covered with blackberry bushes and poison oak vines but had excellent soil for growing grapes. They cleared the land by hand and planted their first vines in 1988.

The first vintage of Beaux Frères Pinot Noir was released in 1991, which received critical acclaim from wine critics worldwide. Since then, Beaux Frères has continued to produce exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of Oregon's Willamette Valley.

The Philosophy behind Beaux Frères Wines

At Beaux Frères, they believe that great wines are made from great grapes grown on healthy soils without any chemical intervention or manipulation. They follow sustainable farming practices such as cover cropping, composting, crop rotation, and minimal tillage to maintain soil health.

They also use natural yeasts during fermentation instead of commercial yeasts to preserve the unique flavors and aromas of each vineyard block's grapes. This approach allows them to produce wines that are true to their terroir and express the nuances of each vintage.

Beaux Frères' Winemaking Process

The winemaking process at Beaux Frères is a combination of traditional and modern techniques. They handpick the grapes at optimal ripeness and sort them carefully to remove any damaged or unripe berries.

They use open-top fermenters for fermentation, which allows for better extraction of color, flavor, and tannins. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 10-12 months before bottling.

Beaux Frères produces several Pinot Noir wines, including the flagship Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir, which represents the best expression of their vineyards. They also produce a limited amount of Chardonnay under their Gran Moraine label.

The Wines of Beaux Frères

Beaux Frères' wines are known for their elegance, complexity, and balance. Their Pinot Noirs are characterized by bright fruit flavors such as cherry, raspberry, and blackberry with subtle notes of spice and earthiness.

The flagship Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir is a blend of several vineyard blocks that represent different soil types within the estate. It has aromas of dark fruit such as black cherry and plum with hints of vanilla and clove from aging in French oak barrels.

Their other Pinot Noirs include The Upper Terrace (from higher elevation vineyards), The Willamette Valley (a blend from various vineyards), The Zena Crown (from a neighboring vineyard), and The Ribbon Ridge (from a single vineyard).

Their Chardonnay under Gran Moraine label is made from grapes grown in Yamhill-Carlton AVA's volcanic soils. It has aromas of citrus fruits such as lemon zest with hints of toasted almonds from aging in French oak barrels.

Conclusion

Beaux Frères is an exceptional winery that produces world-class Pinot Noir wines that represent the uncompromised essence of Mother Nature. Their commitment to quality and sustainability has made them one of the most sought-after wineries in Oregon.

Their wines are a true reflection of their terroir, and each vintage expresses the nuances of that particular year. Beaux Frères' philosophy is simple yet powerful – great wines are made from great grapes grown on healthy soils without any chemical intervention or manipulation.

If you're a wine lover looking for exceptional Pinot Noir, Beaux Frères should be on your list. Their wines are elegant, complex, and balanced – a true representation of Oregon's Willamette Valley terroir.