Andrew Rich Vintner
Sourcing fruit from select Oregon and Washington vineyards, Andrew Rich has been crafting distinctive wines in his adopted state since 1995. Along with Pinot Noir, Rhône Valley varietals, including Syrah, Roussanne and Mourvedre, take pride of place, though perhaps Andrew is best known for his seductive Gewürztraminer dessert wine...
Andrew Rich left a very successful career as magazine editor, after deciding he wanted to change his lifestyle and jump into wine with "both feet". He enrolled into wine school, located in Burgundy France, where there was only one other American student, who happened to be from Oregon. Years later, it was their friendship that ultimately prompted Andrew to migrate North, after he had worked five vintages with Randall Grahm, owner and winemaker at Bonny Doon Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Passionate about Rhone style varietals, Andrew was determined to produce these warmer climate driven wines, even though he chose to live in Oregon. Starting his own label Andrew Rich Vintner in 1994, he quickly became a noted pioneer at creating Rhone-driven wines with a Northwest spin. He continues to work with some of of the most respected vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Washington. Of course, he makes Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley too...
Over the years, Andrew has created a serious following for his wines. He produces wines under two different labels: Tabula Rasa (meaning: "Blank Slate"), which is reserved for wines that are blended from various varietals. His single varietal specific wines are limited in production and under the Les Vigneaux label (meaning: "Little Vineyards"). The current ensemble comprises an octet of highly distinctive wines: white, pink, red, redder, sweet-culminating in the sensuous, opulent, and the oh-so-well-balanced Gewurztraminer ice wine.
Andrew Rich's wines are distinctive, innovative, exciting and always a treat to pull from the cellar to share with friends and family. That's only if you feel like sharing the wine... !
Andrew Rich left a very successful career as magazine editor, after deciding he wanted to change his lifestyle and jump into wine with "both feet". He enrolled into wine school, located in Burgundy France, where there was only one other American student, who happened to be from Oregon. Years later, it was their friendship that ultimately prompted Andrew to migrate North, after he had worked five vintages with Randall Grahm, owner and winemaker at Bonny Doon Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Passionate about Rhone style varietals, Andrew was determined to produce these warmer climate driven wines, even though he chose to live in Oregon. Starting his own label Andrew Rich Vintner in 1994, he quickly became a noted pioneer at creating Rhone-driven wines with a Northwest spin. He continues to work with some of of the most respected vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Washington. Of course, he makes Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley too...
Over the years, Andrew has created a serious following for his wines. He produces wines under two different labels: Tabula Rasa (meaning: "Blank Slate"), which is reserved for wines that are blended from various varietals. His single varietal specific wines are limited in production and under the Les Vigneaux label (meaning: "Little Vineyards"). The current ensemble comprises an octet of highly distinctive wines: white, pink, red, redder, sweet-culminating in the sensuous, opulent, and the oh-so-well-balanced Gewurztraminer ice wine.
Andrew Rich's wines are distinctive, innovative, exciting and always a treat to pull from the cellar to share with friends and family. That's only if you feel like sharing the wine... !
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Andrew Rich Vintner 2007 Roussanne |
| The great white grape of France's Rhone Valley was first planted in Eastern Washington in the late 1990s, so it's not surprising that most people are still unaware of its existence. Roussanne has proven itself to be well-suited to the Columbia Valley's warm and dry climate. This wine has scents of flowers, honey, minerals and stone fruits, while the palate is rich, structured, and somehow elegant all at once. More Details |
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Andrew Rich Vintner 2006 Tabula Rasa White |
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| A Rhone-style blend of Roussanne and Gewurztraminer. This is a beautifully balanced wine with aromas of citrus that transform to hints of peaches on the palate. A majority of the fruit is from the Six Prong Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, of the Columbia Valley, Washington. A rich and lush blend, with lovely spice and floral notes. It has a full body and just a touch of residual from the 5% Gewurztraminer that was carefully blended into this forward and opulent wine.
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Andrew Rich Vintner 2007 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer |
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| As Andrew likes to say "This wine is seduction in a bottle. Give in. You know you want to. Just give in". We couldn't agree more! Aromas of pure old-fashioned roses, just like the books say. Litchis (Lychees), pineapple, guava, apricot and honey. The flavors are just as complex, the balance chronometer precise, the finish nearly endless. The eleventh(!) vintage of this wine may well be the best one yet.
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Andrew Rich Vintner 2007 Cuvee B Pinot Noir |
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| A blend of Pinot Noir from the Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, and Eola Hills AVAs. Crushed raspberries, strawberries and bramble berries. A medium-weight wine, with a fleshy, supple mid-palate, moderate length, and a softness that's interrupted on the finish by the slightest suggestion of tannins. A friendly wine, but a suave dinner companion: a gifted conversationalist rather than the boorish life of the party. The Wine Advocate says this wine is an "Excellent Value!"... More Details |
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Andrew Rich 2006 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir |
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| The Wine Advocate says: "medium ruby-colored with an expressive nose of smoke, spice box, cherry, and raspberry. On the palate it has layers of sweet fruit, good depth, and a friendly disposition." 90 Points! More Details |
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Andrew Rich 2007 Mesalliance |
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| A rich blend of 60% Merlot; 30 Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah from the Columbia Valley. Delicious now for its softness and fruit, though it will age well for several more years. More Details |
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Andrew Rich Vintner 2006 Tabula Rasa Red |
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| A country French style Rhone blend of Syrah, Counoise, Grenache, and Mourvedre. Soft texture, with floral aromatics, ripe red-fruit flavors, and a hint of leather and earth. A great value! More Details |
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Andrew Rich Vintner 2006 Coup d'Etat |
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| Doing his part (for the fifth time) to "epater le merloisie," Andrew has welcomed back to the barricades the prodigal Counoise, fighting the good fight along side Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah. As new-world Rhone-style blends go, this one is remarkably balanced without lacking a bit of that wild, peppery, Mediterranean scrubland thing found in our favorite Chateauneufs. More Details |
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Andrew Rich Vintner 2005 Syrah "Les Vignes En Face" |
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| A 50/50 blend of two outstanding Syrah producing Vineyards: Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval, located in the tiny Red Mountain AVA of Washington. The Klipsun is large-scaled, structured, full of big fruit and even bigger tannins. The Ciel brings great purity of fruit, elegance, harmony, and balance. A wine that was crafted to show power and beauty. More Details |
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Andrew Rich Vintner 2006 Syrah |
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| A blend of three vineyards from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA and two from the Red Mountain AVA in Washington. The nose opens with waves of black fruits, along with hints of anise, olives and smoke. The palate is medium-bodied and suave with sweet ripe fruit. It has excellent balance and medium length. More Details |
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