Shapes of Things

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I strain to remember when it was I first saw someone playing a violin.  These are the things that spring to mind when I can’t sleep at night.  I am knee-deep in writing for different purposes, and just reflecting on different things, from the sublime to the outright bizarre, I found myself remembering one day at Wright State University, some kid was sitting under a tree and he (or was it a she, I can’t recall) was playing something slow and haunting.  

Of course I heard recordings of violins and other string instruments; my Grandma Brennaman would play classical music at her house whenever my sister and I stayed there.  It would induce some sort of fearful calm that had me at once on the edge of my seat at every turn and also exceptionally calm and serene, like I could fall into an afternoon nap at any moment.  Remembering how much a hyperactive kid I was, my Grandma was diabolical.

And then of course there were bands like Charlie Daniels Band (of course), Kansas, and even prog-rockers U.K, Jefferson Starship’s Papa John Creach, and Irish metal band Mama’s Boys, and of course, country fiddle players like Craig Duncan, Bob Wills and Bobby Hicks just to name a few.  Yeah, I’ve heard violinists play, I just don’t recall seeing one perform before that day at WSU.

Despite having no idea of the piece of music this kid was playing, whether it was classical, folk, rock, or what-have-you, the melody of it still sends shivers down my spine.  There was a song I remember by a band called Phenomena, that had this fiddle part that would inspire me to write bits of prose, or just drift off into a dream; there has always been something extremely stirring.

Pinot Noir is a bit like that for me too.  There is an element of nuance and grace that the grape exudes, much the way I hear classical music, I taste and smell it in the Pinot Noir grape.  (I know, that’s really nerdy, but it’s what I do.

So it was cool to meet Dyana Thomas of Colene Clemens, a dynamite producer of Oregon Pinot Noir near the Chehalem Mountains in Willamette Valley.   Colene Clemens Winery began with the acquisition of 122 acres at the convergence of Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge by Joe and Vicki Stark in 2005, and subsequently planted in 2006.  55 acres are dry-farmed and planted to 5 different Pinot Noir clones (Wädenswil, Pommard, Dijon 115, Dijon 667, and Dijon 777).  Winemaker Stephen Goff left Beaux Freres (where he was assistant winemaker) to join Colene Clemens in 2008, and has continued to impress ever since.

Colene Clemens Pinot Noir Dopp Creek 2014.  The entry-level Pinot Noir is impressive, with its graceful, pillowy tannins and hints of wild berry jam, black truffle shavings and hints of dusty earth and forest floor undertones.  Wild cherry jam and red flowers show up at the finish.
Colene Clemens Pinot Noir “Margo” 2014.  Dried herbs mix it up with black peppercorns, cranberries and roasted game to give you a soft, supple seduction of elegance across the palate.  Like a French country Sunday morning.
Colene Clemens Pinot Noir “Adriane” 2014.  Wild mushroom, black cherry and dried herbs lend to this collage of sultry, supple fruit, tannin and spice.  Layers of savory notes add to the elegance.  It’s a very pretty wine.
Colene Clemens Pinot Noir “Victoria” 2014.  There are earthy and woodsy notes up front; this is rather shy, but offers almost a vow of delivering a sexy, dark-fruited mystery a little ways down the road.  Like the first peak at a glorious daybreak, it hints at real majesty here.

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