Belle Fiore Outside Ashland

Last weekend we attended plays in Ashland and on Sunday we decided to take a nice slow drive home, stopping at a few wineries for tastings. We had heard of Belle Fiore the last time we were down but did not have time to visit.

This time we made time and were very glad we did.

The tasting room and dining are a are over the top Italian deco with massive chandeliers, beautiful tile work, sweeping stairs and opulent flooring. The views from the balcony are spectacular.

We were even serenaded by Micheal in the tasting room.The wines we tasted were all good and there were some that stood above the rest, such as the

Belle Fiore Pinot Noir, 2013, a superb example of southern Oregon Pinot Noir. Balanced and bold with a very pleasant after-taste.
 Also, we were very impressed by a blend they do that struck Linda as a perfect solution to her usual reaction to less expensive Cab Sauves.

The Numinos blends Cab Sauve, Cab Franc , Malbec, and three other red grapes to produce a drink now or hold with long tender notes that last. Loved this one.
WINEMAKER’S TASTING NOTES:
The 2012 Cabernet Franc offers up a complex aroma of spice, chocolate, game smoke and sandalwood on the nose. Complex and rich, this wine is full on the palate, has a balanced acid and tannin structure that will age gracefully for years to come.

WINEMAKING TECHNIQUES:
The grapes were picked first thing in the morning to keep cool and then sorted, destemmed and moved to stainless steel tanks. The grapes were kept cool for five days to enhance color and phenolic development and then fermented. Post fermentation, the wine was moved to barrels for secondary fermentation and aging. 

FOOD PAIRINGS:
This wine will pair well with several of Chef Stefano’s dishes. Try it with the Chimichurri skirt steak or the marinated beef shoulder. This wine is drinking nicely right now with decanting. Drink now or hold for several years.

 We plan on visiting again for a meal upstairs looking out over the valley.

And we plan to play a little bocce ball on one of their perfect courts, overlooked by barrel stave furniture.

 I recommend a visit if you are in the mood for a real treat.