This month we'll celebrate the memories of many great wines created by winemaker Rollin Soles at both ROCO and Argyle Wineries in Oregon. We will raise a glass of his 2016 RMS Brut from ROCO Winery. The RMS stands for Rollin Michael Soles, and we decided to enjoy the oldest of the three vintages we have on hand.
These three (RMS Brut 2016, 2017, and 2018) were part of a special offering we bought directly from the vineyard.
We've been following Rollin Soles and enjoying his wines for decades. He's been making wine in the Willamette Valley since 1986. Our first glass of his wine was an Argyle Sparkler on the wine list at Hamersley's Bistro. We began buying this for home service from Bauer Wine and Spirits and remember when it was available for less than $20 for a magnum.
We recall serving magnums of Argyle at a July 4th fireworks party on our roof deck and having a guest shocked when he learned the low cost of a wine he thought to be extravagant hospitality on our part.
Above are a few of the wines we have enjoyed over the years from this great winemaker. We met him at a tasting at Bauer Wine years ago and learned that one reason we love his wine is that we love the same things in a wine that he does. He loves pinot noir and great sparkling wine, and we love pinot noir and great sparkling wine.
In an interview with Owen Bargreen, Rollin said, "I’ve been helped along and inspired by large to small producers in Champagne. Everyone has been so very generous with their time, and they’ve not been afraid to open a lot of beautiful wines that should have been enjoyed by a roomful of buyers! During my early days: Bollinger by far and continuing, Billecart Salmon, Roederer, and Dom Perignon Today: Vilmart, Pierre Peters, Geoffroy, Goutourbe, Jean Milan, Pehu Simonet and so many more."
This list includes many of our favorite Champagnes and some we want to try. Bollinger is also at the top of that list for us. We like the same wines!
Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods, adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!
We purchase our bottle of 2016 ROCO RMS Brut in a special package from the vineyard. To find special offers like this consider signing up for email from your favorite vineyards.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©1995-2020 Penny Cherubino, Photos of Rollin Soles courtesy of ROCO Winery.
